The Department of Tourism and Hotel Management at Debre Berhan University, established in 2008 E.C., operates under the College of Business and Economics, offering a robust platform for teaching, applied research, and community engagement. Since its inception, the department has become a leading center for tourism and hospitality education in Ethiopia, graduating over 400 Bachelor’s graduates and 150 Master’s graduates, while currently enrolled six doctoral candidates. This growth reflects its expanding role in advanced academic research and postgraduate training.

The department provides a well-designed curriculum across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs, carefully structured to integrate theoretical foundations with practical competencies. Supported by a highly qualified faculty, the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and research, ensuring that graduates are equipped to meet the dynamic demands of the tourism and hospitality sectors. The department fosters strong industry linkages, facilitating practical training, collaborative research, and employment opportunities for students, thereby enhancing their readiness for professional challenges.

Recognizing tourism as one of Ethiopia’s five priority economic sectors, the department is dedicated to producing skilled professionals capable of contributing to sustainable sectoral growth and national development. Through a commitment to academic rigor, innovative research opportunities, and meaningful industry engagement, the department aims to develop competent consultants, entrepreneurs, public administrators, and scholars who will advance Ethiopia’s tourism and hotel industries, promote socio-economic development, and address critical challenges such as unemployment and technological innovation.

Department organogram

The Tourism Department organogram illustrates a well-structured hierarchy that ensures smooth coordination across academic and administrative functions. At its core, the chart highlights the Head of Department supported by the Vice Head, Coordinator for Accreditation and Education Quality, and various Standing Committees overseeing curriculum, research, student affairs, discipline, and accreditation. Beneath these, the Academic Staff and Department Secretary play vital roles in maintaining daily operations and academic excellence, reflecting a balanced and efficient organizational framework.

Vision and Mission of the university

Vision

 Debre Berhan University aspires to be one of the nationally leading universities in practical-oriented teaching and research by 2030.

Mission

M1: To prepare knowledgeable, skilled and attitudinally matured graduates for the job market and entrepreneurship by providing practice-oriented education.

 M2: To enhance and promote applied research focusing on innovation and technology transfer to create sustainable and knowledge-based industries and societies

 M3: To establish strategic partners to strengthen practice-oriented education, research and community engagement 

 Mission of the department

To produce competent, ethical and customer-focused tourism and hotel management professionals equipped with the practical and technical knowledge, managerial and leadership skills, and entrepreneurial mindset required to excel in, and sustainably develop, the tourism and hospitality industry.

PLO, PO, PEO (in the form of a table)

 Staff Profile

The Department is staffed with a dedicated team of qualified professionals, working as instructors and researchers. This team includes 10 lecturers, two PhD candidates currently on study leave, and two PhD holders with the rank of Associate Professor, all of whom contribute to teaching, mentorship, and academic research within the Department. Administrative support is provided by one secretary, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the Department.

Grounds for Appeal

Students may appeal their assessment results based on the following conditions, but not limited only to these:

• Errors in Scoring or Grading – mathematical, clerical, or recording errors
• Unfair Assessment Conditions – bias, inconsistency, or procedural errors during the examination
• Failure to Follow Established Policies – deviation from assessment guidelines
• Extenuating Circumstances – medical or personal issues affecting performance (must be documented)

Appeal Process

Step 1: Informal Resolution (Optional but Recommended)

The student should first discuss concerns with the instructor or examiner within 5 working days of receiving the assessment result. If the issue is resolved at this stage, no formal appeal is needed.

Step 2: Formal Appeal Submission

If unresolved, the student must submit a formal written appeal to the Appeal Committee within 10 working days of receiving the result. The appeal must include the student's name and ID, course and assessment details, specific reason(s) for the appeal, and supporting evidence (e.g., graded scripts, practical/lab evaluation feedback, medical reports).

Step 3: Review by the Appeal Committee

The Appeal Committee will review the appeal within 5 working days of submission. The committee may re-evaluate the assessment, interview the student and relevant faculty, or request additional evidence if needed.

Step 4: Decision and Notification

The Appeal Committee will issue a written decision within 5 working days after review. Possible outcomes are: Appeal granted (the assessment score is adjusted), Appeal denied (the original score remains unchanged), or Further review required (additional investigation is needed).

Step 5: Final Appeal (if necessary)

If dissatisfied with the Appeal Committee's decision, the student may escalate the appeal to the Department Head within 5 working days of receiving the decision. The Department Head's decision is final.

Confidentiality and Records

All appeals and related discussions will be kept confidential. Records of appeals will be maintained for at least 3 years for quality assurance purposes.

Students’ Discipline

Article 178. Policy Premises on Student Discipline

1. Self-discipline: As a community striving toward the ideal of a community of scholars, students are expected to adhere to the principle of self-discipline founded upon mutual trust and respect governing relationships among themselves.

2. Necessity of Rules: Like any other community, the University implements rules and regulations to safeguard its effective institutional functioning, ensure fair procedures for investigating charges of rule violations, and impose sanctions to deter and address violations.

Article 179. The University’s Jurisdiction

The University does not seek to regulate the lives of its students except insofar as they affect other members of the University community. Except where a student is convicted by a competent court of a criminal offense demonstrating unfitness to remain a member of the University community, acts committed off university premises and unconnected with any University-sponsored activity shall not constitute grounds for disciplinary action.

Article 180. Student Participation in Disciplinary Breaches

A student alleged to have committed a breach under the Students’ Disciplinary Regulation shall have their case adjudicated and a decision made accordingly.

Article 181. Handling Students’ Disciplinary Breaches

A student suspected of a disciplinary breach shall be examined and a decision made by a committee established under the Students’ Service Directorate.

Article 182. Responsibility to Report Disciplinary Breaches

Every member of the University community, including students, is obligated to report to the appropriate authority any facts within their knowledge that would appear to show a serious violation of the code of conduct for students, staff, or other members of the University.