Close to 75 Years of Excellence: Jimma University Bringing its Expertise to the Capital.
Jimma University’s Addis Ababa Campus officially launched its first-ever Corporate Partnership and Postgraduate Engagement Initiative on February 21, 2026. This milestone event establishes a strategic bridge between the university’s historic academic expertise and the capital's corporate landscape, encouraging capacity building and advanced educational pathways.
The session opened with a welcome from Dr. Mengistu Tafesse, COO, ABH Partners, to a diverse group of industry leaders and professionals.
Dr. Tadesse Habtamu, Vice President of Academic Affairs, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the university’s dedication to high-impact partnerships. With 410 programs currently available (the majority of which are at the postgraduate level), Dr. Tadesse reaffirmed JU’s commitment to scaling its expertise to meet the sophisticated professional demands of Addis Ababa.
Mr. Buruk Woldemichael, Senior Director of Registrar, detailed the university’s program diversity, its extensive collaborations with global academic institutions and JU’s proven track record. According to him, since its establishment in 1952 G.C., the university has produced over 138,000 graduates, playing its role as a cornerstone of Ethiopian higher education for over seven decades.
Deans from core faculties shared the growth trajectories of their respective departments. The College of Business and Economics (BECO) Dean, Dr. Mekonnen Bogale noted that since its 1997 inception, BECO has enrolled over 20,000 students. Dr. Dessalegn Tamiru – Dean of Public Health Faculty, highlighted the faculty’s role in advancing public health standards through specialized training.
Following an engaging Q&A session, Dr. Samrawit Solomon, Director of the Addis Ababa Campus, reminded attendees that Jimma University’s presence in the capital is a renewed commitment to a long-standing history.
"Prior to the current phase, the campus had already graduated a significant number of students," Dr. Samrawit noted. Now fully resumed and operational, the campus is currently accepting applications for its second postgraduate intake. Dr. Samrawit concluded the event with key updates on the campus’s expansion and led a guided tour of the physical facilities.
To ensure sustained corporate engagement, these sessions will now be held twice a year; at the beginning and midpoint of each academic year.