History of Mekelle UniversityMekelle University is found at the town of Mekelle in Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia, at a distance of 783 Kilometers from the Ethiopian capital.The merger the two former colleges: Mekelle Business College and Mekelle University College established the University in May 2000 by the Government of Ethiopia (Council of Ministers, Regulations No. Mekelle University P.O. Box 231 Mek’ele, Ethiopia Mekelle University is a public higher education institution located in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. Mekelle is one of the largest public universities in Ethiopia and student intake capacity has reached over 10% of the city’s population. Haramaya University, formerly known as Alemaya University, was established with the initiative of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1954 based on the need for modernizing Ethiopian agriculture in particular and education in general through the establishment of an agricultural college and training.
The program was completely owned and run by Mekelle University starting from 2017 GC. It selects the top scoring high school students taking national exam at grade 10 and 12 to increase their understanding in science and technology and help prepare them to achieve excellent results and join university. Professor Kindeya Gebrehiwot, President of Mekelle University Photo: Awramba Times Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – The board of directors of Mekelle University has approved the full Professorship promotion of Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwot and Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwet, the third president of Mekelle university, which has been appointed by the Ministry of education.
Established | 1993 |
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President | Kindeya Gebrehiwot[1] |
Students | 29,617 (2013/14)[2] |
Location | , 13°28′48″N39°29′06″E / 13.48000°N 39.48500°ECoordinates: 13°28′48″N39°29′06″E / 13.48000°N 39.48500°E |
Language | English |
Website | www.mu.edu.et |
Mekelle University (Tigrinya: መቐለ ዩኒቨርሲቲ) is a higher education and training public institution located in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, 783 kilometers north of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Mekelle University is one of the largest public universities in Ethiopia. It has seven colleges, eight institutes, and more than 90 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programs.[3] The student intake capacity of Mekelle University has reached 31,000 or 10% of Mekelle's population.
The Arid Zone Agricultural College was established at the University of Asmara, but was then moved to Agarfa in southern Ethiopia in 1990. In 1993, the Arid Zone Agricultural College was moved to Mekelle and started with 42 students in 3 degree programs. After two years, the Faculty of Science and Technology was established at the same campus and, together, these two faculties were then combined into Mekelle University College. Also, a Faculty of Law started its operation by accepting diploma students through a continuing education program.
In May 2000, the Government of Ethiopia (Council of Ministers, Regulations No. 61/1999 of Article 3) formalized Mekelle University as an autonomous higher education institution. Professor Mitiku Haile became the first president.[3]
A village existed at the edge of the escarpment overlooking Mekelle. On a nearby hill, the Iyesus church was established. The villagers fetched their water from the May Anishti spring underneath. In 1895, a fort was established on the small hill overlooking the campus, and the place served as a military stronghold, that was conquered by the Italian army in 1935. In 1938, there was a shop-restaurant, a post, telephone and telegraph office, an Italian military post and a military cemetery.[4]In 1938, the village of Inda Iyesus counted approximately 350 inhabitants (including 45 Italians).[4]After the Italian defeat in 1941, the place was taken over by the Ethiopian army, who expanded it into a large military camp.After the defeat of the Derg army in 1989, the place was used for a few years by the TPLF army after which it was transferred to the Ministry of Education for the establishment of the 'Arid Zone College' that would gradually grow into Mekelle University.Popular names of the campus are taken from this history: Arid Campus and Inda Iyesus Campus.
Mekelle University main campus hosts several parks: