Identified Competency Focus Areas and Core Courses for

National Exit Examination

Program: Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science

Prepared by Hawassa University WGCF-NR, Geographic Information Science department:

1. Dr. Mikias Biazen Molla,
2. Mr. Kefyalew Sahele,
3. Mr. Mehretu Bergena,
4. Dr. Habitamu Taddesse,
5. Dr. Zemede Mulusshewa

December 2022
Hawassa University
WGCF-NR
Ethiopia
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 Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1
2 Objectives of Exit Examination .............................................................................................. 2
3 Significance of the Document ................................................................................................. 2
4 Graduates Profiles ................................................................................................................... 3
5 Competencies (knowledge, skill, and attitude) and learning outcomes .................................. 4
5.1 Competencies (knowledge, skill, and attitude) ................................................................ 4
5.2 Learning outcomes ........................................................................................................... 5
6 Categorizing Courses of the Program into Themes ................................................................ 5
7. Courses to be Included in the Exit Examination ..................................................................... 6
8. Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 7

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1 Introduction

Geographic Information Science (GIS) is an interdisciplinary program that allows the study of
natural and manmade phenomena with an explicit bearing in space. It is an information and
communication technology mainly used for the analysis of spatial information. It is a useful
technology in earth’s natural and artificial data collection & storage in an organized manner in the
computer system in a way to be retrieved, updated, and analyzed to solve the spatiotemporal
problems of humans and nature, for planning, sustainable use, and management of geo-
environmental resources. Moreover, it facilitates sharing of resources (data, software) and
experiences between institutions/individuals.

The current Geo-information situation in Ethiopia and many other developing countries is
characterized by weak information systems with respect to the availability, coherence,
standardization, and accessibility of data. This seriously impairs the capacity of the institutions in
particular and the country, in general, to make informed plans and decisions concerning
development and environmental issues. It is obvious that the institutions’ information situation can
be improved in quality, quantity, reliability, consistency, and dissemination through the
introduction of a Geographic Information System.

Currently, the Ethiopian government has been proactively working to strengthen space science and
geospatial technologies and launching satellites to improve all-rounded information acquisition
and dissemination for the development of the country. Ethiopia requires experts that could make
use of satellite images that will be acquired by the Ethiopian satellites and globally available
images. There is a high demand for geospatial technology products and services at the national
and regional levels. This needs skilled and knowledgeable experts to properly manipulate the
technology, manage and interpret data, and generate meaningful information that helps decision-
makers and the development of the country. Thus, this program will contribute to well-skilled
experts to fulfill the national and regional demands in the area of geospatial technology.

In Ethiopia, the Geographic Information Science program has been run in four Universities:
Hawassa University (since 2010), Wollega University (2012); Haramaya University (2013), and
Oda Bultum University (2017). All the programs in the four universities have been delivering
courses based on the harmonized curriculum. The exit exam has to be delivered based on a

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harmonized core competency. This document lists the core courses and categories of courses that
should be included in the national exit exam that will take place starting the 2015 Ethiopian
calendar. This document has been prepared based on the guidelines of the Ethiopian Mistry of
Education.

2 Objectives of Exit Examination

The national public administration exit exam shall have the following objective;
 To produce skilled and competent manpower for national and international markets.
 Inspire graduates in acquiring fundamental skills and knowledge in Geographic
Information Science core courses.
 Enhance graduates’ chances to win scholarships for further studies and projects.
 Assessing students’ educational achievement in major areas of Geographic Information
Science (GIS).
 Ensuring whether the graduation profile of the Geographic Information Science
curriculum has achieved at least common standards of knowledge and practical skills.
 Improving public trust and confidence in graduates working as industry specialists,
entrepreneurs, education sectors, and public administration activities of professionals.
 Facilitating the efforts of students to revise the core learning outcomes of the courses
covered by the exit examination
 Ensuring all graduates from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) satisfy the
requirements of the labor market and employability through the national wide
implementation of competency-based exit exam.
 Creating a competitive spirit among Geographic Information Science departments in
Ethiopia with the view to encouraging them to give due attention to the national
standards.

3 Significance of the Document

It is important to set competency areas of the Geographic Information Science program to measure
how much graduates are acquired skills, knowledge, and attitudes. The following shows us the
significance of setting competencies and identifying the core courses of the program;

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  To set competencies that help to assess the basic skills, knowledge, and attitude of graduating
students;
 To systematically identify the core courses which will be included in the exit exam;
 To give clues in expected competency and learning outcomes for graduates and host
Universities;

4 Graduates Profiles

BSc degree graduates of the Geographic Information Science program at their graduation
will be:
 Skilled and competent in the essential computer use knowledge for spatial and non-spatial
data management, and dissemination/visualization;
 Able to implement and apply ground and remote sensing-based methods of
geographic/spatial data acquisition and processing to quantify various environmental
resources;
 Competent in identifying and selecting the best fitting spatial data sources and integrating
these data in any GIS related projects to meet a specific geographic information need (for
planning, decision making, monitoring, etc.);
 Competent in establishing geo-database, applying spatial data models and spatial analysis
to generate useful geographic information for different end-users;
 Develop skills in spatial data management, visualization of spatial information, and
interactive mapping;
 Knowledgeable in spatial analysis, modeling, and trend analysis using spatial and non-
spatial data to provide information for various applications;
 Competent in implementing participatory spatial planning and management that involves
different communities/ stakeholders;
 Competent in the general and specific application of GIS for different disciplines at
different levels;
 Skilled in using and developing GIS projects for supporting the decision in service-
providing institutions;
 Design and implement geospatial research for identifying and characterizing
environmental problems and designing development projects at different levels;
 Provide training, advice, and consultancy for program managers, decision-makers,
policymakers, and development projects; and
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  Develop self-esteem and confidence to establish and run private enterprises in line with
GIS use and application.

5 Competencies (knowledge, skill, and attitude) and learning outcomes

5.1 Competencies (knowledge, skill, and attitude)

[Link]. Areas of
Expected Competencies to be achieved
Competency
1. Knowledge Generally, Graduates will be able to
 Characterizes, identifies, and models environmental-related problems for
awareness creation, research, and development programs and introduces
and/or designs different opportunities and or scenarios to mitigate
environmental problems;
 Generate geo-information for modelling future sustainable development
and management options and opportunities;
 Develop the skill of GIS and RS for analysing and modelling the pre-
disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster scenarios.
2. Skill  Apply the skill and knowledge of GIS for urban and rural development
projects and programs.
 Implement GIS in land use land cover and landscape development plan,
land administration, and registration;
 Apply the skill of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote
sensing (RS) for analysing, predicting, and modelling the impact of
climate change.
 Apply the GIS skill and experience to carry out problem-solving
research related to environmental issues to provide sufficient
information about the extent and depth of the problem.
 Apply the skill and knowledge of geospatial technology for modelling,
monitoring, and mapping agricultural resources, forest resources, water
resources, and watershed management.
3. Attitude  Provide training, consultancy, and advisory services to local regional,
and national governmental and non-governmental institutions and
organizations;
 Extend methods and techniques of natural resources exploration;
 Conserve and protects the geo-environmental resources;
 Maintain and improve professional competence in order to give better
service to the community;
 Offers trainings in GIS principles and methods;

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5.2 Learning outcomes

The outcomes of the program are satisfying the trained personnel need of the country in
Geographic Information Science through offering state-of-the-art education (rich with theory,
practices, and independent student efforts). The program:

 Offers trainings in GIS principles and methods;

 Uses of different data sources, geo-information management, and decision support
systems;
 Construct technical knowledge and skills in the development and application of geospatial
technology in planning, assessment, monitoring, and decision-making;
 Disseminate broad knowledge of geospatial technology that enables students to
competently involve in institutions having activities with spatial aspects and to run their
own private enterprises;
 Identify problems related to socio-environment issues and develop personal skills and
attitudes, together with a depth of knowledge, that equip students to carry out basic and
applied research using their GIS expertise; and
 Advice and involve in geospatial-related development projects and policy issues at
different levels.

6 Categorizing Courses of the Program into Themes

The graduates’ competencies and learning outcomes of the GIS program are assessed with the
following four major thematic areas;

[Link]. Module List of Thematic in the GIS Program [Link]

1 Fundamentals Geospatial Data Acquisition 8
Geospatial Technology 8
Spatial Data Management and Analysis 13
Advanced and
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Application Geographic Information Applications 13

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7. Courses to be Included in the Exit Examination

The courses to be considered for the exit examination have been selected in view of assessing the
competencies and learning outcomes that graduates are expected to attain. Therefore, a total of 14
major mandatory courses are selected for exit exams under a specified thematic area.

Sl. No. Themes Course Name [Link]

1. Geospatial Data Ground Surveying 3
Acquisition Positioning System 2
Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry 3
Total [Link] 8
2. Geospatial Fundamental of GIS 3
Technology Advanced GIS 3
Open-Source GIS & Interactive Web Mapping 3
Total [Link] 9
3. Spatial Data Geodatabase 2
Management and Geodesy 3
Analysis Spatial Analysis and Modelling 3
Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing 4
Total [Link] 13
4. Geographic Cadastral Surveying and Land Registration 4
Information GIS and RS for Urban Planning 3
Applications GIS and RS for Agriculture and Watershed 3
Management
GIS and RS for Forest Resource Assessment 3
Total [Link] 13

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8. Conclusion

This document has been prepared based on the national harmonized GIS curriculum to inclusively
address the core competency area in the GIS BSc program. The harmonized GIS has been used to
deliver the GIS program in the four universities including Hawassa, Wollega, Haramaya, and Oda
Bultum Universities. This document is basically prepared to implement the national exit exam,
which will take place starting the 2015 Ethiopian calendar which is scheduled at the end of the
2015 E.C. calendar year. It has been prepared based on the guidelines of the Ethiopian Mistry of
Education. This document includes the expected profile of graduates, competencies (knowledge,
skill, and attitude), learning outcomes, course to be included in the national exit exam, and
categories of courses. The core competencies include twelve core courses grouped into five themes
(modules). The identified four themes/modules include (1) the Geospatial Data acquisition
module; (2) the Geospatial Technology module; (3) Spatial Data Management and Analysis
Module; and (4) Geographic Information Applications Module.