The Credit System and Harmonisation of Higher Education in Ethiopia:

Abstract

This article analyses the implementation of a credit system and its contributionto the harmonisation of higher education in Ethiopia. Harmonisationhas been used as a strategy to respond to the challenges of globalisationand internationalisation. A credit system is one of the tools to accomplishthis objective. Harmonised academic policy, modularised curricula, andthe introduction of the new credit system, the European Credit Accumulationand Transfer System are major initiatives that could contribute tothe harmonisation of higher education in the country. The article identifiesthe factors that hinder this effort. The lack of clear policy directives on theuse of the academic credit system negatively impacted implementation ofthe ECTS, calling for directives that clearly set out the details of a nationalacademic credit system which should apply across higher education institutions,both public and private, and programmes at all levels.