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“Creating career paths for professors (teachers and researchers) with experience in applied research and the professional field.” - Promotion Guidelines for Academic Staff of Universities of Applied Sciences
Ethiopia’s higher education system has evolved from traditional elitist to modern secular higher education in the 1950s. The country had three public universities, 16 colleges, and six research institutions by the end of the 1980s. In the mid-1990s, 37 accredited private HE institutions enrolled over 14% of the total student population. The country’s Education and Training Development Roadmap (2018-2030) pinpoints the importance of differentiation in the country’s higher education system. In 2020, the former Ministry of Science and Higher Education designated the 44 universities into three groups: eight research universities, 21 comprehensive universities, and 15 applied sciences universities.
Developing tailored career paths for these professors offers a unique opportunity to not only enhance the contributions they can make to the university but also to enrich the educational experience for students. This process involves creating flexible career pathways that are aligned with the professional experience and real-world contributions of faculty members.
This career path toolbox incorporates articles related to Principles Governing Promotions, Requirement for academic promotion, Minimum points for promotion, Specific requirement for promotion for each academic rank, Promotion requirements for academic staff in research institutes of HEI, University clinical services as a separate requirement for promotion, Promotion requirements of the academic staff of HEI involved in work of arts, Promotion requirements for academic staff in Music, Promotion requirements for academic staff in theatrical arts, Accelerated promotions and Other Provisions.
Introduction
Promotion criteria for staff at universities vary depending on their missions, priorities, and objectives. Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) focus on practical experiences with industry and teaching, while research-focused universities prioritize knowledge advancement through research and publication. Comprehensive universities aim for a balance between teaching, research, and community engagement. Promotion criteria may be influenced by disciplinary differences, institutional culture, funding priorities, and stakeholder expectations. Universities often tailor their promotion criteria to align with their mission and strategic goals, ensuring that faculty members are evaluated based on their effectiveness, research productivity, and contributions to the university’s goals. UAS focuses on practical application of knowledge, preparing students for specific professions, and fostering industry collaboration. Their mission includes hands-on learning, industry collaboration, professional development, applied research, teaching excellence, and regional impact.
Hands-on learning, industry collaboration, internships, and real-world experiences equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for their chosen careers. It also values teaching quality and contributes to regional development by providing skilled professionals and supporting local industries. Overall, UASs aim to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world. Therefore, the staff promotion criteria also need to align with the UASs mission. These guidelines are developed by considering these specific needs.
Principles Governing Promotions
The criteria for academic promotion are based on service length, teaching effectiveness, publications, university involvement, community service, and professional engagement with industries. Academic rank determination is as follows: a second degree, DVM, or MD equals a Lecturer position, while a PhD or specialized DVM/MD equals Assistant Professor. Promotion initiation is by the applicant and reviewed by the Department, Academic Commission, and various committees, with final decisions made by the Senate or Board.
Promotions to Lecturer or lower are approved at the college level, while Assistant and Associate Professor promotions require Senate approval. Professor promotions are approved at the Board level. Promotion criteria include effective teaching, publications, community service, university participation, and professional engagement, with a minimum weighted average of 75%. Service years for each rank are specified in Article 6.
Requirement for academic promotion
Table: Minimum requirement for academic promotion
Minimum points for promotion
Apart from the fulfillment of the individual criterion specified in the document, a candidate or the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor and professor shall earn a minimum of 80% of the maximum possible total points.
Specific requirement for promotion for each academic rank
Assistant professor
• A candidate with the qualification of a Master’s degree or MD or DVM degree or its equivalent and a minimum of four years of effective teaching and research as a lecturer.
• At least, two publication points since last promotion of which a minimum of 75% of the publication points are gained from one’s area of specialization.
• Active participation in the affairs of higher education institutions.
• Rendering public, professional and community service/engagement.
Associate professor
• Four years of effective teaching and research as an assistant professor.
• The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or its equivalent.
• At least three publication points since the last promotion of which a minimum of 75% of the publication points are gained from one’s area of specialization.
• Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, publications or works not employed for the last promotion may be considered for subsequent promotion provided they do not exceed one-fourth of the required number of publication points for the promotion sought.
• Active participation in the affairs of the higher education institution or working in government organization and with a home-base in HEI.
• Rendering public, professional and community service/engagement
Professor
• Four years of effective teaching and research as an associate professor.
• The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or its equivalent (specialty and subspecialty).
• At least five publication points since the last promotion of which a minimum of 75% of the publication points are gained from one’s area of specialization.
• Active participation in the affairs of the HEI or working in government organizations and with a home-base in HEI.
• Rendering public, professional and community service/engagement.
• A candidate for promotion to the rank of professorship shall submit a solo full-length journal article, or at least three full-length journal articles in which s/he is a first or corresponding author.
• Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, publications or works not employed for the last promotion may be considered for subsequent promotion provided they do not exceed one-fourth of the required number of publication points for the promotion sought.
• The publications and CV of the applicant shall be sent to two external and two internal assessors who are renowned professors in the field chosen by the senate standing committee for academic promotion.
Accelerated promotions
UAS academic staff with extra ordinary performance may qualify for accelerate promotion under the following circumstances:
• When every one hundred percent achieved over and above the required point for publication or industry engagement in a given academic rank shall be considered equivalent to one-year effective teaching.
• The candidate scores 90% weighted average on academic performance evaluation.
• For promotion to assistant professor position, the candidate shall be a corresponding author of at least two articles.
• For promotion to the rank of associate professor, the candidate shall be a principal investigator of at least three articles and secured at least one external research project.
• For promotion to rank of professor, the candidate shall be a principal investigator of at least four articles and secured at least two external research projects.
Other Provisions
Any leave of absence such as study leave, sabbatical leave, and research leave shall not be considered as service years for promotion, breaches of duties and other approved disciplinary measures shall be considered on the completion of them.
Name: Girma Belachew(PhD)
Email: belachewgirma683@gmail.com
Nationality: Ethiopian
University: Kotebe University of Education
Name: Tamiru Jote (PhD)
Email: tamiru79@gmail.com
Nationality: Ethiopian
University: Kotebe University of Education