Addis Ababa University

This is a very old school in Ethiopia.

A leader helped start it long ago. It began as a small college. Later, it became a large university. The school has many different buildings. Most are in one big city. One building is in a different town. Many students go there to learn. They study many things like art and science. It is a special place for learning.

Addis Ababa University is a big school in Ethiopia. It is the oldest university in that country.

A man named Lucien Matte started it in 1950. Emperor Haile Selassie I helped him. The school began as a small college. It grew into a large university over many years. In 1961, it was named Haile Selassie University. Later, it took its current name in 1975. The school has thirteen different campuses. Twelve campuses are in the city of Addis Ababa. One campus is in a town called Bishoftu. Students study many things there. They can study art, science, or law. Some students even study medicine.

Many famous people went to this school. Some became leaders of the country. Others became great writers or scientists. In 2013, the school had over 48,000 students. It is a very important place for learning in Africa.

Addis Ababa University is a very important school in Ethiopia. It is the oldest university in the whole country.

This university helps many people learn about the world. It has thirteen different campuses for students to use. Twelve of these campuses are in the city of Addis Ababa. The last campus is in a town called Bishoftu. Students can study many subjects like science, law, or art.

Learning at the university happens in many different ways. The Ministry of Education picks students based on their test scores. These tests are called the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination. Once they arrive, students can join many different colleges. There are colleges for business, medicine, and even music. Some students work in special research centers too. They might study things like space science or history. This helps them become experts in their chosen fields.

The history of the school began a long time ago. A man named Lucien Matte started a small college in 1950. He did this because Emperor Haile Selassie I asked him to.

In 1954, it became a full college. Later, in 1961, it was named Haile Selassie University. The Emperor even gave his own palace to use as a campus. After a revolution in 1974, the name changed again. By 1975, it finally became Addis Ababa University.

Many different people have led the university through its history. Duri Mohammed was a president who helped the school during hard times. He led the school in 1977 and again in 1993. The university also has many different types of students. In 2013 and 2014, there were 48,673 students in total. This included 33,940 undergraduate students and many graduate students. Some students even study for a PhD, which is a very high level of learning.

This university has shaped the lives of many famous people. Many leaders of Ethiopia once studied here.

For example, Hailemariam Dessalegn was a prime minister. Other students became great writers, like Baalu Girma.

Some even became famous scientists or doctors. The university is not just a place for books. It is a place where people learn to help their community. This makes it a very special part of African history.

Addis Ababa University, often called AAU, is the oldest university in Ethiopia.

It serves as a major national center for higher learning. The university is spread across thirteen different campuses. Twelve of these campuses are located within the city of Addis Ababa. The thirteenth campus is located in the town of Bishoftu. AAU is a vital institution for research and education in the region. It includes several important research centers, such as the Institute of Ethiopian Studies.

Admission to the university follows a specific process. The Ministry of Education selects qualified students for enrollment. This selection is based on scores from the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination, or EUEE. Once admitted, students can join various specialized colleges. These include the College of Biological Engineering and the College of Law and Governance Studies. There are also colleges for the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students may even study at the Yared School of Music or the Skunder Boghossian College of Performing and Visual Arts.

The university has a long and complex history. It began as a two-year college on March 20, 1950. A Jesuit named Lucien Matte established it at the request of Emperor Haile Selassie I.

In the early years, the school developed ties with the University of London and the University of Oxford. The Organisation of African Unity even provided scholarships for African students to study there. In 1954, the University College of Addis Ababa became a fully chartered college. By 1961, several colleges joined together to form Haile Selassie University. The Emperor even donated his Guenete Leul Palace to serve as the main administration building.

Political changes in Ethiopia led to many shifts for the university. Following the revolution in 1974, the school was briefly called the University of Ethiopia. It officially became Addis Ababa University in 1975. During the revolution, the university actually closed for two years. Students and staff were sent to join the Development through Cooperation Campaign, known as zemecha. This program aimed to raise awareness among rural populations. Despite these challenges, the university expanded its academic reach. It offered its first Master's programs in 1979 and its first PhD programs in 1987.

Leadership has played a major role in the university's survival. Duri Mohammed was appointed president in 1977. He led the academy during a very turbulent time in Ethiopian history. He was appointed as president once again in 1993 by the transitional government. During his second term, the university underwent changes, including the removal of 42 staff members. Before 1974, the university had a strict hierarchy of authority. The Emperor served as the Chancellor. Below him was the Board of Governors, which included ministers and royal family members. The Faculty Council, which later became the Senate, managed university officers and deans.

The university has a massive student population. In the 2013/2014 academic year, the total student body reached 48,673. This number included 33,940 undergraduate students. There were also 13,000 graduate students and 1,733 PhD students. Beyond just studying, students have a history of active community involvement. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, they participated in the Ethiopia University Service program. This required one year of national service. Students and teachers were also crucial in exposing the 1973 famine and starting relief efforts.

AAU has produced many influential leaders and professionals. The Ethiopian Student Movement began at the university and helped spark the revolution. Many political leaders in power today formed their views within these halls. For example, Hailemariam Desalegn served as a prime minister.

Other famous alumni include the journalist Baalu Girma.

The university has also shaped experts in many fields. This includes anthropologists like Yohannes Haile-Selassie.

From scientists to lawyers, the impact of AAU reaches into every part of Ethiopian society.