- College Council (CC)
- College Dean
- Vice Dean
- Institutional Transformation and Quality Assurance
- Research and Community Service Council
- Gender Focal Person (GFP)
- Postgraduate Coordination Office
- CLG Journals Coordination Office
College Council (CC)
The College Council serves as the governing body of the College, tasked with critical responsibilities including the approval of the strategic plan and budget, recruitment and promotions up to the rank of assistant professor, and recommending higher-level promotions to the Senate. It ensures the quality of education, research, and community services while proposing the initiation or termination of academic programs and chairs, adhering to regulatory guidelines. The council conducts regular monthly meetings and extraordinary sessions as needed, proposes student graduations, and can form both permanent and ad-hoc committees to address specific issues.
The council’s composition includes the Dean, vice dean, department heads, elected academic and student representatives, Quality Assurance Head, Research and Community Service Head, Postgraduate Coordinator, Journals Coordinator, gender focal person, reflecting a commitment to diverse representation. Staff representatives are elected by the general assembly, while student representatives are chosen by departmental leaders. Overall, the College Council plays a vital role in promoting academic excellence and effective governance within the institution.
College Dean
The College Dean, appointed by the respective Vice President, plays a crucial role in the governance and management of the College/Institute. Appointment can occur either from among three nominees elected by the academic staff or from meritorious applicants for an advertised position, with the Vice President consulting the President in the process. The Dean is accountable to the Vice President and must possess strong leadership skills, a second degree (preferably a terminal degree), and a robust record in research, teaching, and community service.
The Dean’s powers and responsibilities include managing the overall operations of the College/Institute, chairing the College Council, overseeing budget preparation, and monitoring the progress of academic activities. The position requires a commitment of 75% of the Dean's time, with the remainder allocated for teaching or research. The term of office lasts for three years, with the possibility of one immediate reappointment. Termination of service can occur due to resignation, incompetence, misconduct, illness, or extended absence. Overall, the Dean is pivotal in fostering academic excellence and institutional advancement within the College.
Vice Dean
Appointed by the Dean through an open competition, the VD is accountable to the Dean and must ensure transparency throughout the appointment process.
To qualify, candidates must have a robust record of leadership, a deep understanding of educational dynamics, and experience in academic administration and teamwork. The VD is tasked with dedicating 50% of their time to administrative duties while also managing six credit hours of teaching or research. Responsibilities include identifying professional development needs, assisting in the preparation of academic plans, monitoring teaching and assessment practices, maintaining examination systems, and representing the college in the Dean's absence.
The term of office for the VD lasts three years, with provisions for termination due to resignation, incompetence, misconduct, illness, or extended absence. Overall, the Vice Dean plays a crucial role in supporting the academic mission and administrative functions of the College.
Institutional Transformation and Quality Assurance
Institutional Transformation and Quality Assurance Head (TQAH) is a vital leadership role, appointed by the Dean through an open competition. The TQAH is accountable to the Dean and must ensure transparency during the appointment process. Candidates are expected to have a strong leadership background, experience in managing complex organizations, and an understanding of national and international trends in transformation and quality assurance.
The TQAH’s responsibilities encompass dedicating 50% of their time to administrative duties alongside six credit hours of teaching or research. Key functions include benchmarking best practices, coordinating quality standards for academic and community services, implementing transformation tools, conducting self-assessments and external audits, and promoting a culture of quality within the institution. The TQAH also leads the transformation and quality assurance council and participates in the college council, providing insights on quality assurance matters.
The term of office for the TQAH is three years, with provisions for termination due to resignation, incompetence, misconduct, illness, or extended absence. Overall, the TQAH plays a crucial role in enhancing academic quality and driving institutional transformation.
Research and Community Service Council
The Research and Community Service Council plays a crucial role in overseeing research initiatives and community service activities within the institution. Composed of three to seven senior members, with at least 30% representation from each gender, the council is responsible for proposing transparent allocation of funds, developing guidelines for research and community service, and encouraging faculty to seek external research funding. Members serve a three-year term and may be relieved of their duties under specific circumstances, including resignation or misconduct.
The Chair of the Research and Community Service Council is appointed by the Dean through an open competition and is accountable to them. This position requires a significant commitment of time, alongside teaching responsibilities, and involves leading the council, coordinating the evaluation of postgraduate programs, monitoring project implementation, and managing the research budget. The Chair must also possess a robust background in leadership, proposal writing, and an understanding of research trends. Similar to council members, the Chair serves a three-year term and can be relieved of duties for various reasons, including absence or incompetence. Together, the council and its chair foster an environment of research excellence and community engagement within the College.
Gender Focal Person (GFP)
The Gender Focal Person (GFP) is a key role within the College, appointed by the Dean from a shortlist of nominations provided by female faculty members. The GFP is responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of national gender policies as well as the gender policy of Mekelle University within the College. This position aims to promote gender equality and address gender-related issues in the academic environment. Specific roles and mandates for the Gender Focal Person will be defined in a separate directive, ensuring clarity in responsibilities and objectives. Through this appointment, the College commits to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic community.
Postgraduate Coordination Office
The Postgraduate Coordination Office may be established within the College to enhance the management and support of postgraduate programs. This office will operate in accordance with the directives and policies set forth by the University-wide School of Graduate Studies, ensuring alignment with broader academic standards and objectives. By facilitating communication and coordination among various postgraduate initiatives, the office aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of graduate education, supporting both students and faculty in their academic pursuits. This initiative reflects the College's commitment to advancing postgraduate scholarship and fostering a collaborative academic environment.
CLG Journals Coordination Office
The Journal Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting the editorial committees within the College, focusing on administrative tasks and adherence to established guidelines. Responsibilities include maintaining a list of potential reviewers, recommending ranking and reward mechanisms for journals, and suggesting incentives for internal and external contributors. The coordinator aims to organize an annual publication review day, collaborating with the College Research and Community Service Council to integrate it with the research review day. Additionally, the coordinator advocates for open access to journals, facilitates their publication on the university website, and collects appreciation letters for contributors. The role also involves coordinating the publication of a whitelist of reputable outlets and supporting the establishment of editorial committees for diverse publication initiatives. Furthermore, the coordinator compiles a comprehensive list of publications by college staff, enhancing visibility and recognition of scholarly work. This position is essential for fostering a vibrant academic publishing culture and promoting the dissemination of research outputs.
At Mekelle University's College of Law and Governance, we offer a diverse range of programs across several departments, from undergraduate to doctoral studies. Our goal is to provide high-quality education and foster research in various fields related to law, governance, ethics, and political studies.
