Analysis of BSC Based Strategic Plan of Ambo University 2008-2012

1. INTRODUCTION
In this paper an attempt has been done to describe the BSC based strategic plan
2008-2012 E.C. plan of Ambo University. To this end, the reviewer firstly tried to collect
together some of the working manuals, planning documents, legislation guide line and
other important documents of the university from planning office directorate of Ambo
University and reviewed it. Besides I also browsed some online higher education
institution proclamation materials and strategic Planning in the University. Thus, this
paper mainly focuses on major concepts like objectives of the paper, background of
Ambo University, mission, vision, core values, academic units, environmental analysis,
Mandates of Ambo University, Rationale and Objectives of the Strategic Planning,
Ambo University BSC based strategic Plan, Major activities of the plan, strength,
weaknesses, opportunity, threat, conclusion and recommendation at the end.
1.1. Objective of the paper
The main objectives of this paper are:
 To describe Ambo University as Institution, Its Vision, Mission, core values,
academic units and structural Organization
 To assess detail BSC based strategic plan of Ambo University 2008-2012 E.C.
 To identify the focus areas of the organizational plans
 To analyze whether the plans is participatory, inclusive, and considered the real
contexts like human power, time, budget, and the beneficiaries.
 To show the Major activities of the plan
 To show the major achievement of the plan
 To show the weaknesses and strengths observed in the organizational plans
 To provide possible solutions and recommendations to alleviate the gaps
observed and for the future betterment of the university.

1.2. Back Ground of Ambo University

Ambo University is located in Oromia Regional State, west shoa zone particularly in
Ambo town. It was established in 1939, and one of the oldest higher learning institutions
in Ethiopia. Though it was originally a school, over the long years of its existence, the
institution has experienced different levels of development. After passing through
various developmental stages like high school, school of agriculture, Agriculture
and Forestry Secondary School, College of Agriculture, a generation old institution
registered a magnificent history on Megabit 3, 2000 EC (12 March, 2008). In
recognition of its past achievements and future potentials, the Government of the
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia promoted the College to the status of an
autonomous University College entitled as ‘Ambo University College’ which lasted
only for a year. In 2009, again it was renamed as Ambo University.

The University is presently exercising its full potential than ever before so as to meet its
missions and is definitely in a rapid transformation. Its contribution to the country's

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development through conducting pertinent researches and outreach programs is also of

paramount importance. Indeed, the University has a long standing experience in
research and extension on viable technologies including poultry, dairy, horticulture,
forestry, etc and is playing a significant role in improving the livelihood of local
community. In addition, the university also engages in outreach programs providing
training, consultancy and improved technology transfer services to the surrounding
urban and rural community for which it has recently received meritorious award from the
government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
1.2.1. Vision, Mission, Core values
1.2.1.1. Vision Statement
Ambo University aspires to be one of the top universities in East Africa in 2020 EC.
1.2.1.2. Mission Statement
Ambo University is dedicated to produce competent and innovative professionals in
various disciplines through practical, lifelong learning, engaging in research, technology
transfer, and community services and promote good governance to the development
endeavors.
1.2.1.3. The Core Values
Core values are mode of conduct for how workers treat one another at workplace and
how they treat their customers to achieve the vision and increasing the effectiveness of
the organization. Thus, Ambo University has the following core values for high standard
performance and customer services.
i. Excellence
Excellence is high degree level of performance for the activities to be performed in
Ambo University. The University struggles for academic, research, technology transfer
and community service excellence in all our deeds.
ii. Diversity, tolerance and equity
The University believes that the nations and nationalities are the sources of its strength.
They provide its organizational support by respecting each other regardless of cultural,
social, language, color, gender and other differences.
iii. Gender equity
The University is committed to work hard toward achieving gender equity within the
University and the society in general.
iv. Honesty and integrity
The University practices honesty and integrity in how it conducts its academic works
and models this ideal for students, employees, and the community at large.
v. Transparency and accountability
The University promotes openness, and functions and upholds answerable to the
authority and the public.
vi. Community participation and empowerment

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Ambo University actively engages the community in development activities and projects
that benefit and enable them to make informed decisions on matters that influence their
lives.
vii. Collaboration and partnership
Ambo University is committed to work with other educational institutions, government
and non government agencies, industries, businesses and others groups to enhance
the services it gives to the public.
vii. Team spirit
Ambo University values a common commitment among its staffs and its students in
achieving institutional goals. It promotes working collegially and cooperatively to enrich
the work and social environment at the University.
1.2.2. Academic Units
Ambo University has commenced its teaching function in degree undergraduate level
with five departments namely of Crop Production, Animal Production, Applied
Chemistry, Applied Biology and Cooperatives programs in 1996/2003.Nowadays, the
university discharges its academic responsibility with 70undergraduate and 40PG and
3PhD programs with a total number of 27,353 students in regular, CEP, PGDT,
summer and special program and having 898 teachers. In addition to this, Ambo
University is one of the fastest growing Ethiopian Universities, currently expanding to
four campuses. In addition to the main campus, it has three functional campuses -
Woliso Business and Economics and Awaro Technology Campuses and Guder
agriculture and veterinary Campus. Concurrently, the University is developing many
new curricula both in undergraduate and graduate programs in areas pertinent to the
country's development. Ambo University has immense location advantages mainly
related to its proximity to the capital Addis and its excellent climate to attract competent
staff to work closely with other institutions by sharing materials as well as human
resources.
1.2.3. Environmental Analysis
1.2.3.1. Internal Environment Analysis
1.2.3.1.1. Governance and Leadership
1.2.3.1.1.1. Governance
Ambo University put in place its organizational structure. The structure encompasses
academic, research and community services, administrative and resource and
development divisions led by vice presidents. The University's management comprises
of the board of governor, the president, the vice presidents, deans, directors and
department heads following democratic and participatory leadership style. However
there are some structural limitations at campus level which will give attention in the plan
years. The board of governor mentor and support the university to plan and perform its
duty with respect to its mission and mandate. It also monitors and evaluates the
quarterly and yearly activity performance of the university that leads to achievement of
the goals of the strategic plan.

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University Board

University President

Academic and Research Administrative and

Vice President Development Vise
President
Academic Programmes
Directorate

University Registrar
School of Graduate Studies
Human Resource Management and Procurement and Property
Development Directorate Management Directorate
College of Natural and
College of Agriculture and Computational sciences
Veterinary Sciences ICT Development Directorate Students’ Service Directorate

College of Social Sciences

College of Business and Income Generating and Development Finance Administration Directorate
and Humanities
Economics Directorate

College of Medicine and Health

Sciences Institute of Technology

Institute of Education and Institute of Cooperatives and

Professional Studies Development Studies

School of Law

Wolliso Business and

Educational Quality Assurance and Economics Faculty
Audit Directorate

Academic Resource and

Research, Knowledge and Technology Development Support
Transfer Directorate Directorate
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Institutional Policy and University Relations and Alumni Gender, Diversity and Ethics and Anti
Audit Service Legal Service Office Reform Office
Planning Directorate Management Directorate Inclusive Education Corruption
Directorate Directorate
Directorate Directorate
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Figure 1: Organizational Structure of Ambo University

Ministry of education

Board

President office

University Senate University Council

P/ Office Advisor A/ Affair V/President

Research and Community Administrative V/President Business and Development
Service V/President V/President
Planning D. Academic Program
Office Student Service Directorate Resource Generation and
Research Directorate
Quality &standard/ Accademic Affair O Utilization Directorate
Office
Deliverology Office Publication Directorate
Reform Office Budget and Finance
Community Service
Post Graduate Directorate
ICT Development Directorate Enterprises
Directorate
Directorate Registrar Offices Procurement and Property
University Industry Management Office Project Coordination
University Relation
CEP Office Linkage Directorate Directorate
Internal Audit HRM Directorate
Building and Infrastructure
Colleges & Directorate
Legal Affair Office
Campuses
Anti corruption General Service
Gender Affair
Library &
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Campus security

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1.2.3.1.1.1.2. Leadership
Despite the fact that it is infant institution, Ambo University is led by experienced
leaders. The leaders of the university are very committed in designing comprehensive
academic policy and legislation such as public university harmonized academic
policy, higher education institution proclamation and legislation of the university.
The university exerted its endeavor to improve customer handling in order to satisfy the
customers through implementation of reform tools such as business score card (BSC),
kaizen and grievance handling procedures. Decisions are passed by participatory ways
at different organizational hierarchy by department council, college academic council,
deans’ council, management council and some distinct issues such as graduation of
students approved by senate and strategic issues decided by management council and
board of governor. However, there is staffs turnover because of inadequate staff
incentive and reward, lack of conducive working environment (for instance lack of water
supply, toilet etc.) which will be given consideration in the plan years.
1.2.4. Mandates of Ambo University
As public university, Ambo University has a mandate of teaching, research and
community services. To accomplish such mandate according to higher education
institution proclamation number 650/09, the university has the following powers and
duties to:
1. Establish faculties, colleges and other educational and research institutions and
implement undergraduate and postgraduate programs
2. Confer certificates, diplomas and degrees, similarly, award academic titles and prizes
to those who have made commendable contributions
3. Generate internal revenue through provision of goods and services and raising funds
externally
4. Undertake studies and research in priority areas for the development of the country;
5. Organize and conduct seminars, workshops and symposia
6. Establish relations with local and foreign sister Universities, research institutions, and
Other organizations having similar objectives
7. Provide consultancy, special training and other appropriate services to the
community, regional governments and the federal government
8. Publish and distribute academic journals proceedings and newsletters;
9. Charge appropriate fees for the services it renders
10. Establish and administer income fund and income generating enterprise
11. Own property, enter into contracts, sue and be sued in its own name; and
12. Carry out such other activities as are necessary for the attainment of its objectives.

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1.3. Strategic Plan of the University

According to Kathleen, A. Paris (2003) Strategic planning is a means of establishing

major directions for the university, college/school or department. Through strategic
planning, resources are concentrated in a limited number of major directions in order to
maximize benefits to stakeholders--those we exist to serve and who are affected by the
choices we make. In higher education, those stakeholders include students, employers
of graduates, funding agencies, and society, as well as internal stakeholders such as
faculty and staff. Strategic planning is a structured approach to anticipating the future
and "exploiting the inevitable." The strategic plan should chart the broad course for the
entire institution for the next five years. It is a process for ensuring that the budget
dollars follow the plan rather than vice versa. Strategic planning is not just a plan for
growth and expansion. A strategic plan can and often does guide retrenchment and
reallocation.
Accordingly, Ambo University Strategic Plan 2008-20012 E.C. provides the University
community a roadmap for the next five years. This strategic plan clearly outlines our
core values, reaffirms our mission statement, sets forth a noble new vision and sets
forth five critical strategic themes for ensuring a University of excellence for future
generations of students. The Strategic Plan is prepared in a time when the Government
has initiated a bold and strong five year Growth and Transformation Plan that gave due
consideration to higher education development.
1.3.1. Procedures and Methods used in Developing the Strategic Planning
To develop plausible strategic planning, initially, a task force called strategic planning
Steering committee composed of management council led by the president of the
University was formed. University level strategic technical committee was established to
develop the plan in order to technically support the steering committee and closely work
with colleges’ strategic plan committees. Technical committee followed scientific
procedures to develop the plan that included setting the terms of reference, content
of the strategic plan, formulating vision and mission and critically evaluation of
internal and external situations. For environmental scanning, primary data were
collected from directors, deans, staffs and students mainly on Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis.

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Prior the SWOT analysis the technique committee had designed discussion guide
questionnaires for data collection from internal stakeholders. The stakeholders’
workshop on strategic planning formulation was organized by including the concerns of
stakeholders. The results of the analyses were summed up by the technique committee.
In addition to primary data, secondary data regarding the country background, policy
premise and Ambo University background are used. Higher Education Proclamation,
Education and training Policy, Capacity building Strategy, University legislation,
published and unpublished materials and training manuals are some of the
materials that are used as secondary data sources.

1.3.2. Strategic Themes, Commentaries, Results and Perspectives

1.3.2.1. Strategic Themes
The Strategic themes are fundamental premises concerning policy questions or
critical challenges that affect mandates, mission, values, management and clients
/customers of the university. They are the fundamental elements/assets/ that the
university has to address and achieve its mission and move towards its desired
goal. The university has formulated strategic themes based on the mission,
mandates, SWOT analysis and assessments of national policies, strategies and
customer value proposition. The identified strategic themes are:
1. Excellence in learning and teaching
2. Excellence in demand driven researches
3. Excellence in community engagement and strategic partnership
4. Institutional leadership and good governance
These four strategic themes encompass;
1. Producing competent and innovative professionals
2. Human resource development (academic and administrative staffs)
3. Problem solving research and technology transfer
4. Need based community service
5. Creation and management of stakeholder linkage and partnership
6. Financial and material resource mobilization, allocation and utilization
7. ICT and Infrastructural development

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8. Institutional leadership, governance and transform

Table 1. Strategic objectives and results

Theme1 Theme 2 Theme 3. Theme 4.
Excellence in teaching Excellence in Excellence in Excellence
and learning researches and community Institutional
technology transfer engagement and leadership and good
university-industry governance
linkage
Result Result Result Result
Skilled,qualified,ethical Solved societal Improved Developed
, problems through partnership and democratic
Technologically generated livelihood of the culture and
proficient, knowledge and society transformed
transferred society
creative & highly technology

competent graduates to

the dynamic domestic

& global labor market

Perspectives Strategic objective Strategic objective Strategic objective Strategic objective

customer 1. Improve accessibility and 1. Increase 1. Increase satisfaction of 1. Enhance customer

enrolment customers/stakeholders community and partners satisfaction
2. Decrease attrition rate 2. Increase community 2. Foster democratic
3. Increase customers’
satisfaction
2. Ensuring access to services coverage culture
satisfaction
research outputs

Finance 1. Improve educational 1. Improve research fund 1. Improve 1. Improve efficient

resource utilization and its utilization community service resource allocation
2. Increase diversification fund and its and utilization
of finance resources utilizations

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Internal 1. Strengthen active learning 1. Ensure participatory 1. Enhance 1. Improve good

Business method and transparent collaboration with governance
Process 2. Improve methods of partners and
assessment and evaluation
research process 2. Enhance system
2. Enhance community control
3. Reduce students’
misbehaviors technology transfer 2. Design 3. Improve
community service
4. Improve learning-teaching 3. Enhance the quality implementation of
impact assessment policy and guideline
and quantity of reform tools
5. Enhance reform 3. Diversify
research outputs
implementation and
4. Improve research
community service
grievance handling in
education policy and guideline
5. Promote collaborative
research

Learning 1. Improve infrastructural 1. Improve 1. Enhance human 1. create conducive

and facilities researchers resource capacity working
Growth 2. Improve staff
development
capacity and building environment
and retention mechanisms culture 2. Improve 2. Strengthen human
3. Improve working 2. Improve and community resource capacity
environment and culture expanding research service facilities building
centers

1.3.3. Strategic Objectives’ Commentary Outcome

1.3.3.1. Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Objective 1: Improve Accessibility and Enrolment
Description: This objective focuses on increasing the number of centers at different
areas along with fields of studies and increasing intake capacity of the university on
the basis of 70:30 relevance rate of admission for natural science and social science
respectively.
Outcomes: Increased intake capacity, satisfied higher educational demand and
increased number of graduates
Objective 2: Decrease Attrition Rate
Description: This objective includes reducing attrition and dropouts of students through
enabling them by providing tutorial and remedial program for the needy students, proper
guidance and counseling and basic study skill training.
Outcomes: Retention of students and reduced dropouts.
Objective 3: Increase Customers Satisfaction

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Description: This objective focuses on meeting customers’ expectation through

developing relevant curricula, offering quality education by centering the students and
improving the quality of academic support services to increase students’ satisfaction.
Besides, it focuses on producing adequate number of qualified professionals of required
fields by Ethiopian labor market.
Outcome: preferable University to learn and get competent and qualified graduates.
Objective 4: Improve Educational Resource Utilization
Description: This objective aimed at effective, efficient and transparent allocation and
utilization of financial, human and material resources through planned supply,
distribution and monitoring & evaluation system.
Outcomes: efficient and effective resource utilization
Objective 5: Increase Diversification of Finance Resources
Description: This objective focuses on increasing financial wealth of the university
through commercialization of diversified services, programs and fund raising projects.
Outcomes: increased financial resources and internal revenue.
Objective 6: Strengthen Practical Education and Active Learning Methods
Description: This objective focuses on student centered learning teaching practice
through active involvement of the students in self learning and practical education ,
supply of educational material and facilitation of conducive environment.
Outcomes: skilled and competent graduates
Objective 7: Improve Methods of Assessment and Evaluation
Description: This objective focuses on designing and implementing different
continuous assessment methods via enabling the students and ensuring transparency
in grading and evaluation process.
Outcomes: increased competence of graduates.
Objective 8: Reduce Students’ Mal-behavior
Description: this objective focuses on promoting and developing students’ ethics and
code of conducts, reducing students’ mal-practices such as academic cheating,
conflicts, substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors.
Outcomes: disciplined and responsible students and graduates.
Objective 9: Improve Learning- Teaching Impact Assessment

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Description: This objective focuses on the assessment of social acceptability,

stakeholders view and learning-teaching process through quality audit, tracer study and
different feedback mechanisms to strengthening demand driven and quality education.
Outcome: Demand and market driven programs.
Objective 10: Enhance Reform Implementation and Grievance Handling in
Education
Description : By assessing the organizational fitness of the university, designing and
Implementing institutional policy and procedures for recognition of outstanding
leadership/management performance, putting monitoring & evaluation mechanisms in
place, decentralizing power& delegate authority to the lowest possible level where
leaders are encouraged and aspire for maximum achievements, AU will champion
organizational change taking innovative actions
Outcomes Transformed institution
Objective 11: Improve Staff Development and Retention Mechanisms
Description: This objective focus on building the capacity of staff through continuous
professional development, HDP, induction training implementing various staff benefits,
reward and motivation systems.
Outcome: capacitated and retained staff
Objective 12: Improve Infrastructural Facilities
Description: This objective focus on improving ICT facilities, laboratories, workshops,
libraries, instructional aides, educational input supplies and other infrastructures.
Outcome: enhanced infrastructural facilities.
Objective 13: Improve Working Environment and Culture
Description: This objective focuses on enhancing strong working culture including
punctuality, team spirit, sense of responsibility and commitment among the university
community through fulfilling educational facilities and conditions, improving quality of
academic services, encouraging team work and enhancing interpersonal interactions.
Emphasis is also given create conducive work environment.
Outcome: enhanced Team work, committed staffs and conducive working environment
1.3.3.2. Excellence in researches and technology transfer
Objective 1. Increase Customers/Stakeholders Satisfaction

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Description: this objective addresses about increasing customers/stakeholders

satisfaction by prompting the dissemination and utilization of the research and
technology results to end users through different means within reasonable period of
time.
Outcome: Enhanced disseminated and utilized research outputs and solved societal
problems.
Objective 2 Ensuring Access to Research Outputs
Description: Making research findings access to customers’/ stakeholders’ through
research forums, publication schemes and public relations. Making aware the users for
what purpose and how to use the research output is the other focuses of the objective.
Outcome: Improved access of research outputs
Objective 3 Improve Research Fund and its Utilization
Description: This objective comprises of soliciting sufficient amount of research fund by
allocating adequate budget from internal, and seeking from external sources through
developing research proposals and creating strategic alliances with national and
international institutions.
Outcome: Increased research outputs in quantity and quality.
Objective 4 Ensure Participatory and Transparent Research Process
Description: this objective focuses on Participatory and transparent planning, review
system, budgeting, approval, monitoring and evaluation of research processes at all
levels.
Outcome: Efficient and effective research process.
Objective 5 Enhance Technology Transfer
Description: This objective focuses on generating, identifying, incubating, innovating
and transferring appropriate research findings to the local development endeavor.
Outcome: Transferred technologies
Objective 6 Enhance the Quality and Quantity of Research Outputs
Description: This objective promotes carrying out researches following the standard
research methods to generate quality research results through skilled researchers, team
based and fulfilled research facilities.
Outcome: Increased problem solving research outputs.

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Objective 7 Improve Research Policy and Guidelines

Description: This objective focuses on the advancing of research policy and inclusive
thematic areas through stakeholder participation following national priority areas.
Outcome: socially and environmentally friendly research outputs.
Objective 8 Promote Collaborative Research
Description: This objective emphasizes on joint research works by collaborating staffs,
concerned national and international stakeholders.
Outcome: Increased joint research
Objective 9 Improve Researchers’ Capacity and Culture
Description: This objective concentrates on building the capacity of researchers in the
area of research methodology, research management and result dissemination through
training, teamwork and exposure visits. The objective also focuses on improving the
profile of
academic staff by improving the research culture of the university through encouraging
staff to participate in research undertakings, allocating reasonable share of the
academic staff working time for research, making the university environment conducive
for research activities, giving emphasis for research, involving both undergraduate and
graduate students in research and giving credit and recognition for better performing
researchers.
Outcome: capacitated researchers
Objective 10 Improve and Expanding Research Centers
Description: This objective emphasis on establishing and equipping research institutes,
research centers, laboratories and libraries with the appropriate equipments and
supplies. Besides, it focuses on Optimizing and efficient utilization of ICT, enriching the
information accessibility to researchers and improving the logistics availability for
researches.
Outcome: Increased research undertakings in quantity and quality.
1.3.3.3. Excellence in Community Engagement and University-Industry Linkage
Objective 1 Increase Satisfaction of Community and Partners
Description: This objective targets to enhance community and partners satisfaction
through the provision of quality and accessible services, awareness creation processes,

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direct community involvement, experts exchange with partners and links, experience
sharing and knowledge management in an organized and integrated manner and
smooth and timely information flow.
Outcome: Increased trust and sense of ownership towards the university.
Objective 2. Increase Community Service Coverage
Description: this objective is aimed at increasing distribution, quality and
multidisciplinary need based community service in the catchment area through active
engagement of the community.
Outcome: Increased number of beneficiaries
Objective 3. Improve Community Service Fund and its Utilizations
Description: This objective comprises of mobilizing sufficient amount of community
service fund by allocating adequate budget from internal and seeking from external
sources through developing community service projects, consultancy and creating
strategic alliances with national and international institutions.
Outcome: Increased community service delivery in quantity and quality.
Objective 4. Enhance Collaboration with Partners and Community
Description: this objective focuses on increasing the number of new local and
international links and partners; and establishing strong strategic networks with them
and assuring their continuity so as to generate additional funds, mutual support and
collaborative work.
Outcome: Increased number of partners.
Objective 5. Design Community Service Policy and Guidelines
Description: This objective focuses on the development of community service policy
and guidelines through stakeholder participation.
Outcome: Improved community service delivery.
Objective 6. Diversify Community Services
Description: This objective is designed to make the services community need tailored
and to provide services in large through increasing demonstration and outreach sites.
The objective also targets to establish a center for training and consultancy within the
university.
Outcome: Increased community service coverage

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Objective 7. Enhance Human Resource Capacity Building

Description: This objective targets on increasing the capacity of staffs through further
study, training, experience sharing and exchange of skilled human power from and to
partner organizations so as to deliver effective and transparent community services.
Outcome: improved and efficient service delivery to the community
Objective 11. Improve Community Service Facilities
Description: This objective emphasis on establishing and equipping community service
centers with the appropriate equipments and supplies and it focuses on Optimizing and
efficient utilization of ICT and improving the logistics availability for community service.
Outcome: Increased delivery of community service.
1.3.3.4. Institutional Leadership and Good Governance
Objective 1: Enhance Customers Satisfaction
Description: This objective focuses on meeting customers’ expectation through
ensuring democratic culture, good governance and institutional leadership in all services
rendered.
Outcome: Increased satisfied customers
Objective 2: Foster Democratic Culture
Description: This objective emphasizes on fostering democratic culture through active
participation of staffs and stakeholders in planning, implementation, evaluation and
decision making process of services rendered by the university.
Outcome: democratized decision making
Objective 3: Improve Efficient Resource Allocation and Utilization
Description: This objective aimed at effective, efficient and transparent allocation and
utilization of financial, human and material resources through planned supply,
distribution, and monitoring and evaluation system.
Outcomes: efficient and effective resource utilization
Objective 4: Improve Good Governance
Description: Focuses on the way how resources and problems are managed
effectively, efficiently in response to critical needs of society through public participation,
accountability and transparency. It comprises the mechanisms, processes and

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institutions, through which communities articulate their interests, exercise their legal
rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences.
Outcomes: created accountable and transparent society
Objective 5: Enhance System Control
Description: This objective aimed at enhancing organizational control through
developing preventive, concurrent and feedback control mechanisms of the overall
organizational activities at every level of management.
Outcomes: ensured quality service
Objective 6: Improve Implementation of Reform Tools
Description : By assessing the organizational fitness of the university ( by taking
situational requirements into account), through designing and implementing reform tools
such as BPR,BSC, Kaizen ,grievance hearing, gender, ICT, improving educational
development army for recognition of outstanding leadership/management performance,
putting monitoring & evaluating mechanisms in place, decentralizing power& delegating
authority to the lowest possible level where leaders are encouraged and aspired for
maximum achievements.
Outcome: Transformed institutions
Objective 7: Create Conducive Working Environment
Description: This objective focuses on enhancing conducive working environment
through improving educational, administrative, office, recreational facilities, hygiene,
beautification, safety and various incentive packages by encouraging team work and
enhancing interpersonal interactions.
Outcome: Motivated and retained staff
Objective 8: Strengthen Human Resource Capacity Building
Description: This objective targets on increasing the capacity of staffs through
scholarship, short term and long term trainings, engagement in professional
development activities, experience sharing and exchange of skilled human power from
and to partner organizations.
Outcome: Delivered effective and transparent services.

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1.4. Major Achievement of the University (2008-2010)

The following are the major achievement of Ambo University in both academic and
administrative wings. Furthermore, the achievement of the university has been
thoroughly discussed in the SWOT analysis part particularly under strength section.
 To ensure and enhance quality, student-centered teaching, continuous
assessment approach, modular approaches, implementing quality education
management standards, involving qualified professionals have been
implemented. Consequently, students’ attrition rate has been decreased and
quality has been increased..
 Besides to maximize quality of teaching/learning, research undertaking process,
service provision and improving working environment for sustained development,
Infrastructure expansion program had been developed and emplaced. As a result
shortage of teaching class room has been solved more than before, and
enrolment capacity has also increased.
 To accelerate the quality of overall university wide activities, communication and
data management systems, ICT development program had been potentiated. It
consisted of development of decision support system projects and expansion of
the existing ICT services
 To enhance the research and community service endeavors, annual research
conferences, symposiums, seminars, and capacity building training had been
organized. As a result the number of teachers engaged in research and
community service has increased from time to time. Currently, the number of
teachers who are undertaking research activities is better than before.
 To handle grievance and minimize corruption to its lowest level and realize
transparency and accountability at all levels of the university, training and
awareness raising forum had been organized besides taking appropriate
measures to revert any malpractices.
 Through creating awareness on gender equality, equity of gender in position as
well as on gender policy, the university ensured gender mainstreaming in gender
needs planning based on gender responsive objective and result, resource
allocation and utilization and decision making at all level of the university. As a
result number of women enrolment in education and office position has been
increased.

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 Analysis of BSC Based Strategic Plan of Ambo University 2008-2012

1. 5. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Plan of the Organization

1.5.1. The Strength of the Organizational Plan
Some of the strengths of the plan are as follows.
- It is based on the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the previous
year’s work plan
- The plan was inclusive; National policy particularly in line with (GTP-2), MOE
Educational policy guide lines, Ambo University legislation was the benchmark
for the plan;
- The strategic planning system was based on scientific procedure.
- This strategic plan clearly outlines introduction, core values, reaffirms mission
statement, sets forth a noble new vision and sets four critical strategic themes
for ensuring a University of excellence for future generations of students.
- It was participatory; it has been developed in consultations with staff, students
partners on one hand and university top administrators, directorates, deans
and department heads have been given due attention in developing the plan on
the other hand.
- The plan is detailed in such a way that it shows the university’s future
aspiration
- The cross cutting issues were included in the plans
- It included both the external and internal assessment in the planning

1.5.2. The Weakness of the Plan

The weaknesses of the plan also include the following points:

 The mission statement seems like very broad and unachievable

 In some parts of the plans, there are plans that seem to be simply copied from the higher
institutions. This will bring challenge to the implementation of the plans. Hence it has to
be contextualized.

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 Analysis of BSC Based Strategic Plan of Ambo University 2008-2012

 Though the plans need human resources, there is a gap in the work/ plan to be
implemented and the skilled man power who need to put the plan into action. On the
other hand, this shows lack of experts on the area.
 Some parts of the plan seem to be ambitious. However, there seems lack of commitment
that helps for the implementation of the plans.
 Although the plan has left two years of the physical years in the future to be
implemented, the implementation shows gaps between the plan and the implementation.

1.6. Conclusion

Of course, it is undeniable fact that Ambo University is presently one of the fast growing
higher institutions in Ethiopia exercising its full potential than ever before so as to meet
its missions and is definitely in a rapid transformation. As it can be observed from the
above information, the university has been in a tremendous progress and path of
sustainable changes from time to time since its date of establishment. Hence I , as one
of the employee of this institution would like to recommend that all of us as the
university members including the top administrators have to collaboratively strive to
work together for the betterment of our university so that it will achieve the stated
visions and missions.
1.7. Ways forward
Based on the above gaps observed firstly to alleviate the problem seen in respect to
over ambitious nature of mission statement, it will be better if the mission of the
university will be stated compared to Ethiopian Universities

Secondly, it is better if the plans of the organization are more contextualized (based on
the natures of the problems in the area) than a mere duplications of the plans from
higher institutions

Thirdly, it seems good if issues like trainings are included to improve the skills of
members of the organization for better achievement

Fourthly, there should be monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the plans from
time to time so that the necessary corrections and interventions will be made.

Finally, it is best if awareness, capacity building training will be given for all the staff members
and all the concerned stakeholders for the better implementation of the plans.

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 Analysis of BSC Based Strategic Plan of Ambo University 2008-2012

References

Ambo University (2008) Strategic Plan (2008-2012E.c)

Federal NegaritGazeta (2009) Higher Education Proclamation No. 650/2009 Addis Ababa
Kathleen, A. Paris (2003) Strategic Planning in the University:University of
Wisconsin.
MoE (2010) Education Sector Development Program IV 2010/2011 – 2014/2015.
MoE (2015) Higher Education Institution Growth and Transformation Plan II Education
Strategy Center: Addis Ababa.
National plan commission (2015) Growth and Transformation plan performance report
(Unpublished) Addis Ababa.

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