The Academic Dean’s Office is one of the major support offices of CODL. It is primarily responsible for the design of distance learning curricula, in addition to the preparation, editing, and revision of distance learning modules. Moreover, it oversees the organization and coordination of tutorial sessions, and the preparation, administration and correction of assignments, project works and term-end examinations. It is the primary concern of this office to ensure that the distance learning curricula are designed and/or revised in line with the requirements set by the Ministry of Education and the criteria for quality distance learning modules. The office works toward ensuring the materials developed for distance learners are self-instructional, learner-centered, interactive and communicative.

 

Besides, the office is responsible for conducting, promoting and coordinating laboratory training, practical attachment and internship programs and rendering academic counseling services to students. Practical training programs associated with information technology courses are also conducted by this office through the collaborative effort of different bodies and the tri-partnership agreement of SMU-CODL, trainees and training institutions. In this regard, a lot has been done and significant experience has been accumulated.

 

To ensure the designing and implementation of academic programs that enable the University to graduate students with the market-demanded knowledge, skills and attitude, the Academic Dean’s Office has the following duties & responsibilities.

 

The Academic Dean’s Office has the responsibility to:

      • prepare the DE curriculum on the basis of the Harmonized national curriculum and in collaboration with the College’s Lecturers;
      • train distance education material writers;
      • prepare guidelines for material preparation and assist in the preparation of the same;
      • recruit course writers with the required experience and training;
      • follow up tasks assigned to course writers and report the same to the CODL Vice President;
      • get prepared manuscripts edited in line with the in-house style of the University;
      • render term-based tutorial services;
      • upgrade assessment mechanisms through automation with the support of state-of-the art technologies;
      • administer term-end examinations with the required sense of responsibility and level of professional ethics;
      • provide improved academic counseling and support services to distance learners;
      • provide focused service deliveries at different levels;
      • organize on-the-job training to the professional and support staff of the office;
      • produce qualified manpower in different vocations;
      • equip distance learners with practical knowledge and skills required to engage themselves in the education and capacity building of citizens;
      • evaluate term –end examinations by computerized exam correction and grade processing systems;
      • enable trainees to adapt themselves with the world of work, professional ethics and discipline of their future career; and
      • execute other tasks assigned by CODL Vice President and CODL’s Council.

The internal organization of the Office consists of the following departments, units and fields of studies:

No.

Department’s/Unit’s Name

Responsibilities Under it

1

Material Development and

Tutorial Unit
      • Preparation of Distance Education Curricula
      • Preparation of Self-instructional materials
      • Coordinating tutorial services

2

Academic Counseling and Support Service
      • Conduct, Promote and coordinate Academic Counseling, Cooperative Training, Practical Attachment, Internship, Laboratory, IT and Practicum Training

3

Exam Administration and Control Unit
      • Preparation and administration of term-end examinations and assessment of exams, assignments and project works

4

Computerized Exam Correction and Grade Processing Unit

      • Conduct computerized exam correction and process exam grades to the Registrar’s Office

5

Business and Economics Department
      • Initiate, implement and follow up the smooth running of the programs in Accounting, Management, Marketing Management, Finance and Development Economics, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Economics, Banking and Finance, and Public Administration and Development Management

6

Social Science and Humanities Department

      • Initiate, implement and follow up the smooth running of the program in Educational Planning and Management, Sociology

7

Agriculture & Development Studies Department

      • Initiate, implement and follow up the smooth running of the program Cooperatives, Rural Development, Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics

8

Department of General Secondary Education

      • Initiate, implement and follow up the smooth running of the programs in Grade   9 and Grade 10

The Office comprises employees of the University, who are distance education experts, editors, tutors, assessors, typesetters and external advisors on distance education.

 

The efforts of the office, other concerned units, departments and the course module writers (well qualified and experienced subject specialists drawn from renowned universities and colleges) have resulted in the production of modules whose quality has been praised by students and instructors at higher learning institutions in Ethiopia.