Ethiopian Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons

Ayenachew A. Woldegiyorgis; Abebaw Yirga Adamu

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Chapter 2 Ethiopian Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons

In: Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors:

Ayenachew A. Woldegiyorgis

Ayenachew A. Woldegiyorgis
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Abebaw Yirga Adamu

Abebaw Yirga Adamu
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 24–41

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004520554_003

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Abstract

As was the case in many places, the Ethiopian higher education system was caught unprepared when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Universities and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE) were preoccupied with addressing various enduring challenges, chief among them political tension and frequent ethnic conflicts on campuses. The pandemic brought about a complete shift of focus. The unprecedented halt of classes immediately exposed the utter dependence of HEI s on a singular form of delivery of education: face-to-face. Some forms of distance communication – more traditionally such as by phone call and email as well as using social media tools – were employed in an attempt to help graduate students who were well advanced in their programs. However, the effort to resume classes was severely challenged, at all levels, not only by the lack of appropriate infrastructure and technology, but also the indisposed attitude and lack of skills among both teachers and students, as well as the absence of clear policy and guideline to govern the online delivery of education. This chapter examines these challenges as it also highlights some of the opportunities the pandemic has presented to the Ethiopian higher education. For instance, the closure of universities has provided a relief from ethnic tension and conflicts on campuses of public universities, while it has also ushered a new impetus for enhanced interest and confidence in online learning. The pandemic has also caused universities to upscale their public engagement and partnerships with different stakeholders. The analyses in this chapter are situated in the broader context of government responses to the pandemic.

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Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cross-National Perspectives on the Challenges and Management of Higher Education in Crisis Times

Series: Global Perspectives on Higher Education, Volume: 53

Cover Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004520554

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 02 Jun 2022

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- Education
  - Higher Education

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Chapter 2 Ethiopian Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons

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Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cross-National Perspectives on the Challenges and Management of Higher Education in Crisis Times

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