St. Mary’s University

College of Open and Distance Learning (CODL)

Student Support Service Office

The College of Open and Distance Learning (CODL) is one of the major divisions of SMU. The college is led by a Dean, who reports directly to the President of the University. Among the various offices and units under the Dean’s horizon, the Student Support Services Office (SSSO) focuses on providing support for distance students to become successful and influential graduates in the workplace. This is achieved through planned and enhanced extracurricular, and co-curricular, activities, which aim to fulfill one of the strategic objectives outlined in the SMU Strategic Plan.

Student Support Service Office (CODL)

The Student Support Services Office (CODL/SSSO) works in collaboration with all departments and offices of St. Mary’s University/ College of Open and Distance Learning (SMU/CODL) to support the vision and mission of the University. SSSO is responsible for the operations of all student support activities hear in the Addis Ababa campus and overseeing the activities of Student support clerks assigned at every center coordination offices.   

Vision

The Vision of St. Mary’s University is to become among the leading higher education centers of academic excellence in teaching-learning, research, publications and community services in East-Africa and contribute to the development of Ethiopia.

Mission

The Mission of St. Mary’s University is to offer conventional and distance education that is accessible to the larger society through reasonable tuition focusing on quality and standards in teaching, research and outreach services.         

The ultimate goals of SSSO/CODL are to:

  • oversee all programs related to counseling and guidance to all distance students
  • prepare the office action plan in consultation with CODL dean office;
  • periodically review the student support scheme and follow up the implementation of the scheme;
  • plan and coordinate the review and dissemination of the student handbook in cooperation with concerned bodies;
  • prepare office brochure, manuals etc. pertaining to the workings of the office;
  • present a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual report of accomplished activities of the office to  Center for Educational Improvement and Quality Assurance CEIQA;
  •  develop budget proposals concerning the office and submit it to the responsible body;
  • Supervise the activities of the student support service clerks at the center level.
  • Follow up the services that students get from various sections of the CODL;
  • Evaluate student satisfaction of the service of student support and make necessary changes on the basis of the evaluation; 
  • Plan and work on the improvement of the office whenever required;
  • Hear students’ grievance and appeals and work towards the solution in cooperation with other offices
  • Facilitates students’ practical attachment & internship in actual work environment.

 The office closely works with the academic affairs office, departments, the associate registrar office, distance students, and the center coordination offices at large in the creation of a fully integrated student educational experience.

Address:

Student Support Services Office 

College of Open and Distance Learning  

Addis Ababa Green Campus

Tel. +251 11 5157974

E-mail: CODL_SSO@smuc.edu.et

 P. O. Box: 1211

 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

 Ethiopia