A recent global ranking of the top Ethiopian universities of 2020 has been made public. As usual, there are a few surprises as some universities who did not previously appear on the list made an appearance on this one for 2020. This shows that the quality of education in the East African country is rising significantly and if it continues at this pace, it’s only a matter of time before Ethiopian Universities start to gain international recognition.
Based on the Webometrics ranking of world universities, here is a list of the top universities in Ethiopia in 2020.
1. Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa University was established in 1950 and is the oldest University in Ethiopia. The University is credited with the birth of the Ethiopian Students Movement which has been very vocal in regards to government policies in the country.
At present, AAU practices a collegiate system and has a total of 11 colleges that are deeply committed to teaching and research. Despite its huge standards on academics, the University is also committed to enhancing students’ social life, leadership, and organization skills; a feature it has been able to succeed at through the provision of tons of extracurricular activities.
Notable alumni of this great institution include former Zambian president Rupiah Banda, Somali politician Mustafa M Omer, and Ethiopian civil engineer Simegnew Bekele.
2. Jimma University
At number 2 is the prestigious Jimma University, a public research university whose history dates back to 1952 when it was first referred to as the Jimma College of Education. The institution eventually became Jimma University in December 1999 following the merger of Jimma College of Agriculture and Jimma Institute of Health Science.
JU has a student population of over 42,000 and it offers a wide range of programs in the areas of medicine, biology, arts, business, law, and humanities. Notable alumni include Gebisa Ejeta who won the world food prize as a result of his massive contribution to the production of sorghum.
3. Makelle University
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Makelle University was founded in 1993 and is currently situated in Makelle, Ethiopia. The university is divided into 7 colleges which are; College of Natural and Computational Sciences, College of Law and Governance, College Of Veterinary Science, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, College of Business and Economics, College of Health Sciences and Ayder Referral Hospital, and College of Social Sciences and Languages.
Due to its strategic location, Makelle University is home to some of the most visited parks in Ethiopia such as Momona Park, May Anishti forest, and the Belgium park. Makelle has a student population of over 31,000, a number that is expected to hit 40,000 in the nearest future. Notable alumni of the university include Ethiopian beauty queen Mhadere Tigabe and Nigus Gebremedhin Asefa.
4. Bahir Dar University
Located in Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia is the Bahir Dar University. Although it was established in 1954 as the Bahir Dar polytechnic institute, it became known as the Bahir Dar University on May 6, 2000, following its merger with the Bahir Dar Teachers College.
Today, the university is rated as the 4th best university in Ethiopia and is known to offer over 69 undergraduate programs as well as 32 Ph.D. and 118 masters programs. Bahir Dar University is an Alma mater of several prominent Ethiopians, including Lemma Megersa, Siferaw Shigute, K.Bej, and Genet Gelana.
5. Haramaya University
Having been established in 1954, Haramaya University is considered as one of the oldest in Ethiopia. It caters to the academic needs of over 34,000 students who are being lectured by over 1,000 lecturers and teachers. The university is known to be very keen on research and has made groundbreaking innovations in the areas of environmental sustainability, engineering, health, energy, and information technology.
Due to its focus on research, Haramaya University has collaborated with several institutions like the WHO, European Union, US AID, and World Bank.
6. Hawassa University (Debub University)
The history of Hawassa University can be traced to December 22, 1998, when Debub University was established following a proclamation by the government. However, the university was later renamed Hawassa University on February 17, 2006, as a result of a political move by the government to quell the demands of the Sidama populace asking for a region due to marginalization.
Hawassa University is divided into 7 colleges and is known to offer a variety of courses in the area of law, social science, humanities, economics, health science, and medicine to name a few.
7. Arsi University
At number 7 is Arsi University which owes its establishment to the growth and transformation plan set up by the Ethiopian government in 2010. The plan listed specific targets the government wished to hit before 2015, one of which so happened to be Arsi university. That being said, the University came into existence on October 15, 2014, and is located in Assela city, Oromia, Ethiopia.
In its vision statement, Arsi University says it aspires to be among the leading east African universities and recognized universities in the world by 2033. With its main objectives being learning and teaching, research and development, and community engagement, the institution appears to be going in the right direction as it now features among the best Ethiopian university.
8. Arba Minch University
Arba Minch University is a nonprofit public higher institution located in Arba Minch, Ethiopia. It was established in 1986 and went by the name of Arba Minch Water Technology Institute. On September 20, 2004, it became Arba Minch University and is today rated as one of the top Universities in the country with a student population of 39,000. Besides the main campus located in Arba Minch, the university has five other campuses which are Abaya Campus, Chamo Campus, Kulfo Campus, and Nech Sar Campus, and Sawla Campus.
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9. Adama Science & Technology University
Located in the heartbeat of Adama, Ethiopia is the Adama Science and Technology University. It was first established in 1993 as a technical college before it was then granted university status in 2005. The university is revered for its commitment towards academic excellence and as such it offers a wide range of programs that are grouped into 47 departments. Besides academics, the university pays serious attention to extracurricular activities like football and basketball.
10. Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
At number 10 is the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, an institution tailored towards grooming top engineers who would change the economic and social conditions in Africa through research and innovation. The Institute is divided into five schools; School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, School of Multidisciplinary Engineering, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, School of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, and School of Chemical & Bioengineering.