THE ROLE OF RESIDENTIAL COMMUNIIES FOR THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUCCESS OF UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN STEM MAJORS: THE CASE OF A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN ETHIOPIA

This study is an exploratory case study which explored the residential environment of an Ethiopian public university on its role for the social and academic integration of undergraduate women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. It also explained how the social and academic integration of the women contributed for their overall college success. There were three groups of participants; undergraduate women in STEM, female resident proctors, and relevant officials from the university and the Ministry of Education of the Ethiopian government. Each of the participants were interviewed on a one-on-one basis and the interviews were transcribed and coded for the analysis. Supportive quantitative data about the enrollment, performance and retention of students were also gathered from the university\u27s registrar office and analyzed quantitatively to support the qualitative data obtained through interviews. The study was framed by Tinto’s Integration Model and data were interpreted using Third World feminist theory. The findings showed that due to the fact that all same-sex, same-major women living in the same rooms, and all who live in one dorm take similar courses throughout their program, and dormitories serving multiple roles, including being collaboration spaces, played a big role for better social and academic integration of the women. It is also found that their social and academic integration helped them to better perform in their majors by enhancing their sense of belonging in the male-dominated STEM majors, enhancing their commitment, and promoting peer encouragement. On the other hand, the findings also showed that there were some factors which have negative influence in the integration process such as negative stereotypes against the presence and good performance of women in STEM, lack of support system, and limited interaction with faculty. So, the study recommends that working on improving the negatively influencing factors will enhance the positive impact the resident environment is bringing for the success of undergraduate women in STEM in the university studied

Factors Affecting Foreign Direct Investment in Ethiopia: ARDL Approach to Co-integration

Different studies show that FDI has important roles to the economic development of a given country and it is determined by several factors. This study tried to investigate what critical factors are determining the amount of FDI inflow into Ethiopia. To accomplish the objective of the study a time series data ranging from 1981 up to 2016 is employed.  The results of the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test indicate that the variables under consideration are a mixture of integrated of order zero and order one, that is, I(0) and I(1). Moreover, the result of bounds testing confirms the existence of stable long run relationship between FDI and its determinants. Accordingly, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model or bounds testing approach to co-integration and Error Correction Model (ECM) are applied to investigate the long run and short run relationship between FDI and its determinants respectively. The results of the study revealed that trade openness and real GDP positively influence the inflow of FDI while real effective exchange rate and government fiscal deficit have an adverse effect on FDI inflow. As a policy implication, it is recommended to dismantle restrictions on the free flow of capital, promote poverty alleviation strategies to enlarge the domestic market, strive to reduce budget deficit and avoid frequent changes in exchange rate. Keywords: ARDL, Bounds testing, ECM, Ethiopia, FDI DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-35-02 Publication date: December 31st 202

Determinants of Current Account Deficit: Empirical Evidence from Ethiopia

The main objective of this study is to empirically investigate the determinants of current account deficits in Ethiopia using annual time series data ranging from 1975 to 2016. To investigate the long run and short run relationship between current account deficit and its determinants, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model or bounds testing approach to co-integration and Error Correction Model (ECM) are applied respectively. The results of the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test indicate that the variables under consideration are a mixture of integrated of order zero and order one, that is, I(0) and I(1). Moreover, the result of bounds testing confirms the existence of stable long run relationship between current account balance and its determinants. The empirical result reveals that net foreign asset, real effective exchange rate, terms of trade and real GDP are found to have a negative impact on current account deficit, while government budget balance positively affected current account deficit in the long run. However, inflation is found to be insignificant both in the short run and in the long run. The ECM also shows that, real effective exchange rate, terms of trade and inflation have no significant effect on current account deficit in the short run. As a policy implication, it is recommended that employing appropriate policy mix along with devaluation, diversification and improving the quality of exports and implementation of efficient tax administration system are among the policy options that are supposed to alleviate the existing current account deficit. Keywords: ARDL, Bounds testing, Current account deficit, ECM, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-17-06 Publication date:September 30th 202

Service quality in education at Addis Ababa University: the case of the faculty of business and economics extension program

Despite the fact that tertiary level education has been immensely operational, maintaining quality education has become a challenge in Ethiopia. This paper is trying to find out the problem related to service quality in education at Faculty of Business and Economics of Addis Ababa University (Accounting, Economics, Management, Public Administration and Informatics), specific to the extension program. The servqual model is used as an instrument methodology to measure the service quality vis-à-vis Tangibles, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, and Empathy. Primary data pertaining to the research was collected from randomly selected students’ drawn from the five departments’ under Faculty of Business and Economics. The findings of the study show that except for responsiveness, all the remaining parameters exhibited positive responses from the students. The responsiveness of the Faculty of Business and Economics for evening students is low. But, the students’ replied that the faculty is reliable, shows good empathy, good service assurance and tangible. However, some of these items in construct show negative responses. The faculty has to use its resources to improve the problems identified in certain items in the constructs of this research. The study is limited to measure the service quality of the Faculty of Business and Economics extension program. The finding of the study however, may not represent the entire performance of the University. The recommendations and suggestions of this research would serve as a foundation to reinforce the relevance and crucial role that the service quality plays towards the performance of the University.Keywords: Responsiveness, Reliability, Empathy, Assurance and Tangible

The Role of International Organizations and Partnerships for Emergency Education in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions: Online Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of the study was to explore the role of international organizations and partnerships that provided support to the higher education institutions of Ethiopia during the active COVID-19 emergency period. In addition, the study aimed to explore the experiences and challenges of students in working with the online learning platforms that were made available during the pandemic. Qualitative case study was employed. Official email communications and documents were reviewed from two USA based partner organizations that responded to the higher education teaching need during the pandemic. In addition, 30 graduate students from counseling psychology program of the School of Psychology, Addis Ababa University (AAU) were involved in responding to a qualitative questionnaire in Google forms. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. All partnership and collaboration efforts were important in supporting the teaching need of the local institutions during the pandemic. The major themes that emerged as positive experiences were (a) ensuring continuity, (b) new opportunity, (c) safety and economic management, and (d) working with different platforms. The major themes that emerged as challenges were (a) difficulty to adjust oneself, (b) lack of personal touch, and (c) internet and power disruption. The study provided critical message of social infrastructures are highly important as that of physical infrastructure need during emergency education. Additional implications are highlighted in making education systems more resilient

Ethical dilemmas: Experiences of secondary school teachers in Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia

Being a teacher involves multi-layered ethical challenges and decisions. The purpose of this research was to explore the ethical dilemmas faced by secondary school teachers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition, the study aimed to explore the ways and approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas. A phenomenological qualitative research approach served as the guiding methodology. Eight participants were involved in the semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed by exploring potential themes and sub-themes using thematic analysis. The major ethical dilemmas that emerged from the data include (a) not being governed by schools’ rules and regulations (disrespect and dis-rule), (b) not being honest in the position they have, (c) lack of acceptance and recognition among the school community, and (d) being indecisive due to deep personal challenges of students and political interference. The major approaches utilized in addressing ethical challenges were (a) respecting the code of conduct of students’ discipline, (b) open discussion and confrontation, (c) understanding causal factors, and (d) being ethical. The need for professional development plans and training based on guiding books have been suggested as means of action in preparing secondary school teachers to deal with ethical challenges and to help them be good at decision-making

Bibliography on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the Diaspora: The 2004 Update

No Abstract Available Ethiop.J.Health Dev. Vol.19(1) 2005: 65-8