The training and discussion forum is organized for heads of schools and departments

aiming at awareness creation regarding the impact of COVD-19 pandemic on the teaching-learning process in the university.

During the opening speech, Dr. Eng. Fiseha Getachew, Vice president for academic affairs at Hawassa University, said that departments have a vital role to update the students with current affairs and strategic issues to achieve the university’s vision that aspires to be one of the top ten East African research Universities by 2030. According to him, there is the university’s strategic plan designed for the next 10 consecutive years (2020-2030) and the aim of this training is to brief important issues included in the strategic plan with academic staff and to get feedback on how to carry out their role for the achievements.  

Academic Affairs Directorate Director, Dr. Zeleke Arficho, clarified that the training and discussion forum is organized by the directorate to address core issues on teaching-learning during COVD-19 pandemic and how to give psychological support for students besides basic academic issues. According to Dr. Zeleke, thirteen papers were ready to be presented on a range of academic issues of the University by college deans and the participatory discussion was expected from the attendant staff to flourish with better achievement. 

After the two-days training and discussion Dr. Ayano Baraso, Hawassa University President, mentioned that Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Units are established under each college aiming to give support and advice for students, teachers, and community in general to minimize frustration and other psychological problems happening with COVID-19 and other issues. The University President underlined that all students, staff members, and the university community should be aware of the new legislation and code of ethics specially developed by the University to carry out teaching-learning process in line with protecting COVID-19 and securing peace for the school environment. The President ordered the graduating class students that they should complete all their courses and thesis within four to five weeks in a crash program and the libraries should give 24-hour-service with the strict follow up on the rule of one-bench-for-one-student.     

Dr. Eng. Fiseha Getachew also explained that all the necessary types of equipment which help to protect COVID-19 during teaching-learning activities (like the face mask and sanitizer) are ready to be distributed for the students and teachers.   

The Director, Dr. Zeleke, further explained that the university made online call #6730 for graduating class students and 6150 of them (more than 90 %) were eager to enroll it and attended their classes with the help of more than 2000 active teachers on duty.