Bahir Dar University (BDU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, hosted a pivotal two-day validation workshop on a new National Framework for Outcome-Based Curriculum Development in Research Universities. Held intensively from December 26 to 27, the event brought together a high-level delegation of educational leaders, including senior Ministry of Education officials and experts, academic directors and senior staff from Ethiopia's research universities, as well as BDU leadership and faculty.

In his opening remarks, BDU's Academic Vice President, Professor Essey Kebede, emphasized the framework's key role in standardizing curriculum design to enhance national development and boost the global competitiveness of Ethiopian graduates. Mr. Tesfaye Nego, Head of the Academic Program and Curriculum Development Desk, in his keynote address outlined the strategic vision and national imperatives behind the initiative.

Following a presentation of the framework's core structure, guiding principles, and implementation plan by its developers, participants were engaged in robust plenary discussions. The workshop facilitated a meticulous review, with attendees providing critical feedback, sharing institutional insights, and proposing substantive recommendations for refinement and contextualization.

Deliberations continued through the second day, culminated by a synthesized conclusive remarks by academic affairs Chief Executive Officer (MOE), Dr. Eba Mijena. The workshop ended with a strong consensus on the framework's foundational value and a shared commitment to its finalization.

This collaborative endeavor marks a significant step toward standardizing and modernizing curriculum development across Ethiopia's research universities. The framework is expected to align academic programs with national priorities, ensure responsiveness to labor market needs, and focus on equipping graduates with tangible skills and competencies—thereby strengthening the country's knowledge-based economy.

The event concluded with a visit to the Jan Moscov Li