Tariku Regea Eticha

Education Quality Director, Salale University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital

Director's Message

The world of healthcare is changing, and so must the education of our future health professionals. With rising public expectations and increasing demands for accountability, higher education institutions face the critical task of adapting what and how they teach. At the Education Quality Directorate (EQD), we empower programs to meet these challenges head-on. We serve as expert guide, offering tailored advice, and actively facilitating the implementation of necessary changes. We are committed to monitoring outcomes to ensure our programs remain relevant and effective.

Background

Quality Education Directorate is one of the four directorates structured under Academic and Medical Service Quality and Innovation Corporate Director. It was named differently at different times including but not limited to the following:

• Health Science Education Development Centre
• Medical education unit
• Centre for medical education, and
• Department for educational development and research

The first Education quality unit responsible for the quality of medical and health sciences education was established in late 1950s at three higher institutions in the United States. Since then, there is a growing consensus globally that a unit for Education Quality is an essential requirement for Higher education institutions.

The Education Quality Directorate at Salale University College of health sciences was established on August 23^rd 2021 (named as Health Education Development Center ). Since its establishment:

• Different capacity building trainings are given (like problem-based learning, Blue-print development, Exam item development, objectively structured clinical examination, computer-based testing, academic leadership, Effective teaching skill, Clinical preceptorship, etc.)
• Different workshops with different stakeholders have organized at different times.
• Internal quality assessment has been made and the status of the college has been identified followed by enhancement plan development
• And now the office is functioning at directorate level and staffed with dedicated personnel to run its activity per expected standard.

Vision

• To be the driving force behind a future where health professions education in Salale University is globally recognized for its quality, innovation, and effectiveness.

Mission

• Empower faculty members to achieve and sustain educational excellence by providing expert leadership, capacity building, innovative curriculum and assessment strategies, and the integration of best practices in teaching and simulation, ensuring the preparation of highly competent and adaptable health professionals.

Addressing Key Challenges

• Quality Assurance & Accountability: Societal trends demand rigorous quality assurance and standards in health science education. We help programs meet requirements for auditing, appraisal and program accreditation.
• Curriculum appraisal, review, and development: The information explosion and increasing curriculum complexity highlight the need for careful planning of expected learning outcomes. We assist programs with needs analysis, identifying core curriculum, and supporting the provision of continuing education courses.
• Faculty Development: With the introduction of new educational strategies, learning technologies, and assessment tools, effective teaching requires specialized training. The EQD contributes to the required professional development and training.
• Building a Culture of Quality: Establishing a reliable internal structure for continuous quality improvement is critical. So, we support in responding to these initiatives by leading quality assurance and improvement activities as part of overall educational development.

The Education Quality Directorate is your right-hand in planning curricula, identifying effective teaching and learning approaches, and ensuring a program meets the highest standards of quality in health professions education

Staff

The Directorate have multidisciplinary teams who have passion and competency in education and change management to lead in a path of continuous quality improvement. There are 5 staff members in the directorate:

• Education Quality Director
• Capacity building / faculty development coordinator
• Curriculum appraisal, revision and development coordinator
• Clinical practice and Simulation center management coordinator
• Educational Quality and Student Assessment coordinator