Best Universities in Ethiopia- Ethiopia has an interesting record of being the oldest country in gigantic Africa. It is a beautiful country with exciting scenery, great food and hospitable people. Ethiopia is one of the African countries where you can get quality and sound education at whatever level. In this article, you will get to discover the best universities in this beautiful country and scholarship offers that are available for you to pursue your academic study.
Education in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has two educational systems: Traditional and Modern.
The first educational system is the traditional system which is rooted in Christianity and Islam.
The primary level of education is being conducted by the clergy in the places of worship. Higher education is also run in the places of worship. Graduation leads to positions within the religious hierarchy.
Modern Education was introduced by Emperor Menilek II, who established an excellent system of primary and education. In the 1950s, higher education was introduced.
Education is free in public schools from primary level up to tertiary level. Primary education last for 8 years and is very compulsory for ages 7-12. Secondary education is for four years.
Addis Ababa, the country’s oldest university was founded in 1950. Other universities in Ethiopia include Hawassa University, University in Jimma, Mekele and Bahir Dar, Haramaya University. Literacy rates in Ethiopia is quite low. About 50% of the male population is literate while for the female population, it is about 40%.
10 Best Universities in Ethiopia
There are 59 universities in Ethiopia but below are listed the best 10.
- Addis Ababa University
- Jimma University
- Mekelle University
- Hawassa University
- Bahir Dar University
- University of Gondar
- Haramaya University
- Arba Minch University
- Adama Science and Technology University
- Debre Markos.
Addis Ababa University
This is the oldest and best university in Ethiopia. The national university located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was established in 1950. There are thirteen campuses, twelve are located in Addis Ababa while one is found in Bishoftu.
Students can study a number of courses from undergraduate level up to PhD level in the following faculties:
- Biological Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Language studies
- Journalism and Communication
- Development Studies
- Business and Economics
- Law and governance studies
- Educational and behavioral studies
- Natural and Computational Sciences
- Veterinary medicine and Agriculture
- Health Science
The university also has a number of associated research institutions.
The university has a library on the main campus, which contains large amount of study materials for the students. There is a sports complex that contains playing fields and courts for students that are sport-inclined.
The university has good relationships with other universities around the world for different exchange programs like academic exchanges, scientific research and opportunities to study abroad.
Since its establishment, the university has been and remains the leading center in teaching, learning, research and community services. Addis Ababa university ranks 401-500 in university world rankings.
Jimma University
It is a public research university that was established in 1952 in Jimma, Ethiopia. The university was created from the merger of Jimma College of Agriculture (founded in1952) and Jimma Institute of Health Sciences (founded in 1983).
The university has 12 research facilities, a modern hospital, a community school and ICT center. The university has a number of academic and scientific collaborations with national and international partners.
The academic units in the university include: Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Business and Economics, Natural Sciences, Public Health and Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences, School of Art, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law and Governance, Art, Education and professional Development studies and Post graduate studies.
Jimma university is the second best university in the country. The university with four campuses has three core values which are teaching, research and service to the community.
Mekelle University
It is a public university located in Mekelle, Ethiopia. It is one of the largest university in Ethiopia with over 90 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programs. There are 7 colleges and 11 institutes in the university. The colleges include:
- Law and Governance
- Social Sciences and Languages
- Business and Economics
- Veterinary Science
- Natural and Computational Sciences
- Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
- Health Sciences and Ayder Referral Hospital
Hawassa University
The university was established in 1999 in Hawassa, Sidama region in Ethiopia. The university has 7 campuses and offers 81 undergraduate courses, 108 master programs and 16 PhD programs. The university ranks position #5 among the top 10 universities in Ethiopia.
The academic units in the university include:
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities
- College of Agriculture
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences
- College of Law and Governance
- College of Education
- College of Medicine and Health Science
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Forestry and Natural Resources
- Institute of Technology
- School of Continuing Education
- School of Graduate Studies
Bahir Dar University
It is a public university located in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The university operates in 8 campuses. It was established in 1954 and currently comprises 5 colleges, 4 institutes, 7 faculties, 2 academies and 2 schools.
The colleges include: Agriculture and Environment, Medicine and Health Sciences, Business and Economics, Natural Sciences.
The faculties include: Educational and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences.
The schools include: Law, Earth Sciences, Computing and Electrical Engineering, Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Chemical and Food Engineering.
The university ranks position #5 among the top 10 universities in the country.
University of Gondar
The university of Gondar was first established as college of health in 1954. For a long time, it was known as Gondar College of Medical Sciences until 2003 when it became the University of Gondar. It is the oldest medical school in Ethiopia.
The academic units in the university include the following:
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences
- Faculty of Agriculture
- School of Law
- School of Technology
- School of Education
The university ranks position #790 among best global universities and is widely open to international students.
The university provides facilities and services that enhance learning and also the social life of the students. Some of the facilities include: library, sports center, study abroad and exchange programs.
Haramaya University
It is a public university that was founded in 1954 in Haramaya, Oromia, Ethiopia. The university has the mission of producing competent graduates who can make positive impacts in various fields of study. The university that operates in 3 campuses, ranks position #6 among the top 10 universities in Ethiopia.
Ever since its inception in 1954 till date, the University of Haramaya has been actively involved in intensive research in fields of Agriculture. The university has strong linkages with national and international organizations which has helped to strengthen its academic and research activities.
The academic units in the university are categorized into 9 colleges, 1 institute and one directorate and they include:
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Science
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Computing and Informatics
- College of Medical and Health Sciences
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities
- College of Law
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences
- College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
- Directorate of Continuing and Distance Education
- Haramaya Institute of Technology
Arba Minch University
It is a national university that was established in 1986. The academic units in the university comprises 5 colleges, 2 institutes and 3 schools which are located across the six campuses of the university. These academic units include:
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences
- College of Social Science and Humanities
- College of Natural Sciences
- College of Agricultural Sciences
- Water Technology Institute
- Institute of Technology
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Adama Science and Technology University
The university was created in 1993 as Nazareth Technical College and located in Adama, Ethiopia. In 2005, it became Adama Science and Technology University. The university which is a public one has the following academic units:
- School of Applied Natural Sciences
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture Programs
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computing Programs
- School of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Debre Markos University
It is a public research institute that was established in 2005 in Debres Markos, Ethiopia.
The university is located in an area that is blessed with a lovely weather and plenty of natural resources. The university has 3 campuses, 5 colleges, 2 schools and 3 institutes.
The academic units include:
- College of Social Science and Humanity
- College of Natural and Computational Science
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Health Science
- Institute of Technology
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- Institute of Land Administration
Ongoing Scholarships in Ethiopia
#1 ACEWM (African Centre of Excellence for Water Management) Scholarship program
This scholarship is meant for students who want to pursue M.Sc program in Water Management. Successful applicants will be enrolled in Addis Ababa university for the program and would get a monthly stipend of 500USD. This scholarship is open to both men and women.
#2 Mckinsey & Company 2022 Young Leadership Fellowship Program for Young Africans
It is a two-year full-time consulting programs that is intended to develop exceptional young Ethiopians into real and sound leaders. It is open to both men and women. Candidates with exceptional performance at the end of the program would be given roles in the company.
#3 MasterCard Foundation University of Gondar Graduate Scholarships
This scholarship covers both undergraduate and master’s degree programs. It is solely meant for students with disabilities.
#4 Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme
The scholarship is for students running master and PhD programs in these field of study: Agriculture, Food Security, Engineering, Social Sciences, Governance, Health and Environment, Education. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation and transportation.
#5 Adama University Merit-based Scholarships
This a merit-based scholarship for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering students. A generous grant is given to students running their PhD programs in some of the best universities in Israel. Examples of these universities include; Ben-Gurion University, Hebrew University, and Technion.
#6 Beit Trust Scholarships for Ethiopia
This scholarship is open to Ethiopians that are resident in Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe who wants to pursue postgraduate Masters or PhD.
#7 Susan Aitchison Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is meant for young individuals from Lalibela area of Ethiopia to help them get good education. Fund is available for individuals who want to acquire a skill in college or attend university. The scholarship is valued at 250 Euros per year.
Conclusion
Getting quality and sound education gives you higher advantage in life. Whether you are a local in Ethiopia or an international student, take advantage of some of the scholarship programs listed in this article to advance your educational pursuit.
Wishing you all the best.