In an effort to expand the reach of the limited reference materials available to University students across the nation, the Ministry of Education (MoE) is finalizing preparations to launch a nationwide electronic system.
The soon to be launched electronic library system will station its database, which will comprise all available books and other reference records from government universities, in Addis Ababa. All of the 21 state run universities will then be linked to the database.
Presenting a nine months performance report to parliament, Education Minister Demeke Mekonnen said installment, inspection and other support for the system will be provided by independent companies for a period of three years.
The education ministry says setbacks, such as a lack of adequate copies of books and even absence of essential books in some universities, will be eased as all the books university offer students will be a click away.
Also capitalising on information communication technology characteristics, the education ministry is advancing its post graduate programs through tele-education.
The Ministry explained that the tele-education program is designed to boost university teacher numbers and capacity. One hundred trainees will benefit from the program already in operation in Addis Ababa University Engineering Faculty, with a plan to include eight other universities.
The Indian New Delhi University is partnering with the education ministry of the program. “There are ongoing efforts to have more partners from South African Universities,” the Ministry said.