Research-Teaching Nexus (RTN): The Epistemological Missing Link in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Abstract

In view of the central nature of Research and Teaching in higher education, and the almost universal assumption that Research benefits Teaching, and the importance of scholarship, it is perhaps surprising how the issue of Research-Teaching Nexus (RTN) remains a neglected matter in the academic arena of the Ethiopian higher education system. RTN is a matter which has recently attracted a considerable amount of attention, particularly from those who are of the opinion that we need to value the link between Research and Teaching to offer high quality learning experiences to students. This paper is, thus, an attempt made to asses the nature of the relationship between Teaching and Research in the Ethiopian higher education settings. Also, study of existing literature on the issue is made to provide ways of establishing productive links between Research and Teaching and highlight the connection that it has to learning. Evidences on RTN in the Ethiopian HEIs are extremely scarce. Results from the handful of earlier studies, however, ascertained that Research and Teaching has never come to a close touch in Ethiopian higher education institutions. Thus, with the aim of increasing circumstances in which Teaching and Research have occasions to meet, universities need to work towards the improvement of the nexus between Research and Teaching. This would ultimately help institutions and their staff to provide the best possible learning experiences for their students. The paper is organized into four sections. The first section of the paper presents introduction and the justification for the importance of Research -Teaching Nexus (RTN). Following this a general overview of an Ethiopian Higher Education Landscape is presented. The second section reviews literature on the “how” of linking Teaching with Research. Review of evidences from earlier studies and discussions are made in the third section of the paper. Conclusion and recommendations are presented in the final section of the paper