International ISO quality in higher education and vocational training in Ethiopia

Higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Ethiopia are moving towards adopting international ISO quality management standards alongside the requirements of the national quality assurance agency. This transformation aims to enhance governance, operational efficiency, and institutional credibility.

Higher education and vocational training institutions in Ethiopia are taking various steps to gain international recognition beyond national quality assurance requirements. In this context, institutions are participating in the Ethiopia Quality Award program, seeking international program accreditations, and acquiring quality management certifications such as ISO standards. Among the most prominent standards in the sector are ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018.

While the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector has assumed a pioneering role in this process, Hawassa Polytechnic College became the first institution to receive the ISO 21001:2018 certification. At the university level, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) pioneered institution-wide ISO certification in Ethiopia by obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 certificate in 2024. However, despite the progress made, institutions face challenges such as a limited certification culture, a shortage of internal auditors, and resource constraints.