Addis Ababa University held a discussion session with stakeholders over its draft five years strategic plan, 2015/16-2019/20, on February 25, 2016 at the Eshetu Chole hall of the College of Business and Economics.

Aimed at gathering relevant input from various stakeholders, the meeting featured government officials including the Minister of education Shiferaw Shigute, special policy advisor to the PM with a rank of Minister Abay Tsehaye and special advisor to the PM with a rank of Minister Professor Andreas Eshete along with the President of Addis Ababa University Admasu Tsegaye (PhD.), other representatives of various Colleges and Universities, ambassadors, NGOs and regional organizations.

The plan is designed in line with the country’s 2^nd growth and transformation plan (GTP) and the university’s vision to become among the top ten pre-eminent graduate and research universities in Africa by 2025.

Speaking on the occasion Adamsu Tsegaye (PhD), President of Addis Ababa University, noted that the university envisions becoming one of the top pre-eminent graduate and research universities in Africa. He further indicated that the university has shifted its core area of emphasis to place graduate programs and research at the forefront of its strategic plan and expansion. He added that higher education institutions in the country are expected to spearhead development issues and contribute to poverty alleviation in the country.

In his opening speech Shiferaw Shigute, Minister of Education, said that as a pioneer institution of higher learning in the country, Addis Ababa University has played tremendous role in shaping today’s Ethiopia in one way or another over the last six decades. He added: “taking into account the enormous role of trained man power in fostering comprehensive development and transformation at a wider scale, educational institutions are tasked with major responsibilities of contributing to the transformation of the nation by producing competent and highly skilled professionals and intellectuals.”

Zerihun Woldu (Professor), Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, presented the draft document in detail. Moderated by the AAU President Admasu Tsegaye (PhD.), various questions and suggestions were raised from participants.

A committee comprising representatives of different colleges of the university has worked on the strategic plan for the last 8 months under the auspices of the university’s office of strategic plan. After a detailed presentation of the strategic plan, participants of the discussion commended it as very comprehensive.