GOVERNANCE IN ETHIOPIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM: State-Higher Education Institutions Relationship, the Case of Mekelle University

Abstract

This study set out to examine the influence of the state in the governance of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of Ethiopia. The purpose of this research was mainly to disclose the relationship between the state and HEIs in the governance arrangements and autonomy of universities in Ethiopia. In addition, it also aimed to show the reform process of HE and the reaction of universities towards the reform. A part from this, the study focused on showing the effect of the governance model that Mekelle Univesity (MU) follows on the autonomy of the university. To understand this context, MU, which is one of the public universities in Ethiopia, was chosen as a case study to represent the HEIs of the country. To investigate the issues thoroughly, the study adopted a qualitative case study methodology. The data collection methods used in this research included documents (such as: reform documents, proclamations, official reports, legislations, etc.) and phone interviews. Teachers, department heads, faculty deans, associate vice president and administration personnel participated in the phone interviews.The findings of the study revealed that the main actor of the reform for the HEIs in Ethiopia is the state. Consequently, the changes follow a top down approach. Universities are there to implement what the government wants them to do. Compliance or conformity to new changes is their major organizational strategy to adapt to the changes. It was also found that, the institutional autonomy of the university is highly compromised by the state. In other words, the organizational, financial, academic and staffing autonomy of the university is mainly determined by the state. Consequently, MU?s governance model is more of a bureaucratic and hierarchical one. Last but not least, this research also indicated that the bureaucratic nature of the governance model influences the academic community not to participate fully in the university affairs. In sum, it was concluded that the governance reforms of HEIs in Ethiopia are mainly dominated by the state without adequately incorporating the needs of the universities.Keywords (optional):: Autonomy, governance, state-higher education institutions relationship