The Ethiopian Civil Services University (ECSU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently invited Prof Ravinder Rena, a professor in economics and internationalization and project leader at the North-West University (NWU) Business School, to be part of an external programme review panel.

This panel was tasked with evaluating the university’s doctoral programmes in the areas of public finance management, economics, and finance.

This process forms part of the university’s quality processes, as institutions of higher education are expected to have assurance measures in place to ensure high quality programmes.

This panel, therefore, had the important task to ensure that degrees awarded in similar subjects at the ECSU hold up to international standards and are comparable with those awarded by other universities across the globe.

“I feel privileged and honored to have been part of this external programme review at the ECSU, as an external examiner plays a crucial role and in the end determines the fate of a particular programme,” says Prof Rena.

“It is the panel’s responsibility to comment on the assessment process, provide feedback and advice on course content, and to give balance and structure to further improving the quality of a programme.”

During his visit, Prof Rena also had the opportunity to meet with various members of the ECSU management, including Prof Fikre Dessalegn, university president, and Dr Lemessa Baysa, dean of the College of Finance, Management and Development.

During his meeting with Prof Dessalegn they discussed possible international collaboration between the ECSU and the NWU.  “I think our meeting went well and that we can look forward to a collaboration agreement in future,” said Prof Rena.

 The NWU’s Prof Ravinder Rena recently shared his expertise when he was a member of an external programme review panel at the Ethiopian Civil Services University.