Objectives/Goals

I. Objectives of the Department Head of Software Engineering

1. Promote Academic Excellence: To lead the department in delivering high-quality and practical software engineering education aligned with national standards and the university's mission.
2. Ensure Curriculum Relevance and Innovation: To develop and maintain a dynamic, industry-driven curriculum that reflects current software development trends and technologies.
3. Strengthen Research and Development: To foster a research culture that addresses national and global challenges through innovative software solutions.
4. Facilitate Technological Advancement: To promote the integration of emerging technologies and tools in teaching, learning, and software development practices.
5. Support Staff and Student Development: To provide leadership in building the capacity of academic staff and supporting students to excel academically and professionally.
6. Enhance Community and Industry Engagement: To build strong collaborations with industry, government, and community stakeholders to enhance practical training, internships, and outreach.
7. Uphold Quality and Institutional Standards: To ensure the department adheres to quality assurance frameworks and contributes to the strategic goals of Wolkite University.

II. Responsibilities of the Department Head of Software Engineering

A. Academic and Curriculum Leadership

• Coordinate the development, implementation, and evaluation of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Software Engineering.
• Ensure that teaching methods and course content are aligned with industry practices and technological trends.
• Lead curriculum reviews and ensure integration of soft skills, ethical considerations, and entrepreneurship in software engineering education.

B. Administrative and Operational Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the department including class scheduling, exam coordination, and budget administration.
• Prepare and implement annual action plans and resource allocation aligned with the College of Informatics and university priorities.
• Maintain departmental records, reports, and compliance with institutional policies.

C. Staff Management and Professional Development

• Assign academic and administrative duties to faculty and support staff based on expertise and workload guidelines.
• Facilitate academic staff development through training, research support, conference participation, and career mentoring.
• Conduct performance evaluations and recommend promotions, disciplinary actions, or recognitions.

D. Research and Innovation Promotion

• Support faculty and students in conducting relevant research in software engineering fields such as AI, cloud computing, mobile and web development, cybersecurity, etc.
• Encourage participation in national and international research grants and innovation competitions.
• Organize research workshops, seminars, and publications to disseminate findings.

E. Student Support and Advising

• Oversee academic advising to guide students in course selection, graduation requirements, and career planning.
• Monitor student academic performance and take necessary actions for academic support and progression.
• Facilitate extracurricular and innovation activities such as coding clubs, hackathons, and software project exhibitions.

F. Infrastructure and ICT Resource Management

• Ensure that software laboratories, development tools, and computing facilities are up-to-date and fully functional.
• Recommend procurement and maintenance of software and hardware resources necessary for effective learning and project development.

G. Industry and Community Linkages

• Establish strong linkages with software companies, startups, and public sector institutions for student internships, joint projects, and job placement.
• Coordinate community engagement projects where software engineering solutions are applied to solve local challenges.
• Invite industry professionals for guest lectures, seminars, and curriculum advisory meetings.

H. Quality Assurance and Reporting

• Implement internal quality assurance systems aligned with HERQA and university requirements.
• Prepare and submit semester and annual performance reports to the College Dean
• Ensure the department meets accreditation standards and participates actively in institutional quality audits.

I. Strategic Contribution and Institutional Involvement

• Represent the department in university-wide committees, councils, and strategic planning sessions.
• Align departmental goals with the university’s vision to become a center of excellence in science, technology, and innovation.
• Contribute to national development through policy input, curriculum alignment, and community service in software and IT.