“Learn lifelong and shape the curriculum for students’ happiness!” – Inspiring presentation by Dr. Fekede Tuli at TMPK
On March 7, Dr. Fekede Tuli, Vice President and Associate Professor at the Kotebe University of Education (Ethiopia), provided fascinating insights into the reforms of Ethiopian teacher training and the challenges of STEM education during his presentation at TMPK. The event was organized by the STEAM Office and was attended with great interest by the faculty’s lecturers and students.
Dr. Tuli, who possesses extensive international studies and more than 15 years of leadership experience in higher education, detailed the specific characteristics of the Ethiopian educational system and the significant reforms the country is implementing in the field of teacher training. He highlighted the importance of continuous learning for both students and teachers, emphasizing that the curriculum should be shaped to promote the happiness and well-being of learners.
In his presentation, he also addressed the methodological challenges of teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. He shared Ethiopian experiences on how they attempt to overcome these difficulties and what innovative approaches they use to make STEM subjects more attractive and understandable for students.
The audience also learned about Dr. Fekede Tuli Gemeda’s extensive professional background. He shared that he earned his PhD partly at Sapienza University (Italy) and partly at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland), while obtaining his Master’s degree at Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia). Throughout his career, he has taught at numerous higher education institutions in various positions since 2003, ranging from assistant lecturer to associate professor. At Ambo University, he worked as an expert in the academic development and resource center, where his task was to strengthen the pedagogical competencies of instructors. In his current position as Vice President, he is responsible for the university’s academic affairs.
His research areas include teacher education, action research, professional learning, and educational reforms. He boasts numerous local and international publications and actively collaborates with researchers across different countries. Additionally, he has participated in significant national projects, including investigations into corruption in Ethiopian universities, developing frameworks for Ethiopian research university development, and analyzing school response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic. He served as a lead researcher in developing the Ethiopian Education Development Roadmap (2018-2030) and led the technical committee for the transformation of Kotebe Metropolitan University into a University of Education. Currently, he is a consultant for the Education Development Trust, providing research and project technical support.
Dr. Fekede Tuli’s inspiring presentation highlighted the exciting developments taking place in Ethiopian education and the importance of international cooperation in the field of pedagogical innovation. The event provided an excellent opportunity for Obuda University (TMPK) instructors and students to gain first-hand information about a distant but, in many ways, instructive educational system.
