Addis Ababa University

Addis Ababa University (AAU) is first generation university located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The university was established in 1950. It is one of the oldest University in Ethiopia. It is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University is the oldest and the largest higher learning and research institution in Ethiopia.

History Background:

Pre-University Era (Before 1950)

• 1943: The foundation for higher education in Ethiopia was laid with the establishment of University College of Addis Ababa (UCAA), initially offering freshman-level courses.
• 1948: UCAA began offering two-year programs in collaboration with the University of London.

Formation of Addis Ababa University (1950s)

• 1950: UCAA expanded its programs and became a degree-granting institution.
• 1952: The college was renamed Haile Selassie I University (HSIU) in honor of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
• 1954: The university established its first faculties, including Arts, Science, and Law.

Expansion and Growth (1960s–1970s)

• 1961: The university moved to its current main campus, Sidist Kilo, in Addis Ababa.
• 1960s: New faculties and institutes were established, including the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering, and Institute of Ethiopian Studies.
• 1974: Following the Ethiopian Revolution, the university was renamed Addis Ababa University (AAU) after Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed.

Post-Revolution Era (1970s–1990s)

• 1975: The university underwent significant restructuring under the Marxist Derg regime, with a focus on aligning education with socialist principles.
• 1980s: AAU expanded its academic programs and research initiatives despite political and economic challenges.
• 1991: After the fall of the Derg regime, AAU began a process of modernization and reform.

Modern Era (2000s–Present)

• 2000s: AAU expanded its campuses and established new colleges, including the College of Business and Economics, College of Natural Sciences, and College of Social Sciences.
• 2010s: The university introduced postgraduate programs and strengthened its research output, becoming a leading institution in Africa.
• 2020s: AAU continues to grow, with a focus on innovation, technology, and addressing national and global challenges through education and research.

Current Status:

• Student Enrollment: From an inaugural intake of 33 students in 1950, enrollment has surged to 34,286 students, comprising:
• 22,593 undergraduate
• 9,660 Master’s
• 2,033 PhD students
• Faculty and Staff: AAU employs 8,709 individuals, including:
• 3,110 academics
• 3,673 administrative support staff
• 1,253 health professionals
• Programs Offered: The university runs 66 undergraduate and 350 graduate programs, including:
• 115 PhD
• 180 Master’s
• 32 Subspecialty
• 23 Specialty certificate courses in Health Sciences
• Graduates: Over 281,071 students have graduated from AAU since its establishment.

Focus Areas:

• Undertaking reform measures to adapt to changing national and international educational dynamics.
• Operating 10 colleges and 3 institutes for both teaching and research, alongside 8 additional research institutes primarily focused on research.
• Boasting 55 departments, 12 centers, 12 schools, and 2 teaching hospitals to support its academic mission and research initiatives.

Mission

• To pursue transformative education, cutting-edge research and innovation, and impactful services and engagement in advancing socio-economic, cultural, and technological needs and interests.

Vision

• To become a leading research university in Africa, to advance national needs and be responsive to global development

Values

• Excellence
• Academic Freedom
• Integrity and Accountability
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Collaboration
• Care

In Academics Addis Ababa University has seven colleges and twelve school. They are:

Colleges:

• College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (CSS-ArtH)
• The College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (CSS-ArtH) is the result of mergers that consolidated all social science disciplines under one institution. It encompasses 6 schools, 6 centers, and 5 departments, offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs while engaging in research and community services.
• College of Technology and Built Environment (CTBE)
• The College of Technology and Built Environment (CTBE) emerged from the consolidation of the former Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAiT) and the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture and Building Construction (EiABC). It focuses on technology and engineering education to drive innovation and enhance local industries.
• College of Health Sciences (CHS)
• The CHS comprises four schools and one teaching hospital, offering professional training in various health fields. It aims to standardize curricula and address community health needs through integrated approaches.
• College of Education and Language Studies (CELS)
• CELS was formed from the merger of the former College of Education and Behavioral Studies and the Language Studies program. It offers a broad range of degrees and focuses on transformative education and community engagement.
• School of Law (SOL)
• The School of Law is the oldest and most prestigious Law School in Ethiopia, offering various law programs and producing trained professionals for the judiciary and legal services.
• College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture (CVMA)
• Established to advance education in animal health and agriculture, the CVMA focuses on training skilled professionals and conducting research to improve community health and agricultural practices.
• College of Business and Economics (CoBE)
• CoBE consists of the former Faculty of Business and Economics and the School of Commerce, dedicated to empowering leaders in business and driving economic growth through quality education and research.
• College of Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS)
• The CNCS is committed to advancing scientific understanding and innovation, offering comprehensive programs that prepare students for careers in research and industry while promoting interdisciplinary research.

Schools:

• Alle School of Fine Arts and Design
• School of Allied Health Sciences
• School of Commerce
• School of Earth Sciences
• School of Information Science
• School of Journalism and Communications
• School of Medicine
• School of Pharmacy
• School of Public health
• School of Social Work
• Yared School of Music
• Yoftahe Nigussie School of Theatrical Arts

College of Social Sciences , Arts, and Humanities (CSS-ArtH)

The College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (CSS-ArtH) at AAU unifies social science disciplines under one institution, offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs. With 6 schools, 6 centers, and 5 departments.

Schools

• School of Theatre Arts
• Yared School of Music
• Ale School of Fine Arts and Design
• School Of Journalism and Communication
• School of Development Studies

Departments

• Philosophy
• Social Work
• Archaeology and Heritage Management
• Political Science and International Relations
• Sociology
• Geography and Environmental Studies
• History Department
• Social Anthropology

Centers

• Center for Regional and Local Development Studies
• Center for Rural Development Studies
• Center for Population Studies
• Center for Gender Studies
• Center for Food Security Studies
• Center for Environmental and Development Studies
• Center for African and Oriental Studies
• Center for Human Rights
• Center for Federal Studies
• The Gebre Kristos Desta Center

CSS-ArtH Programs

Undergraduate Programs

The CSS-ArtH Programs include a total of 11 undergraduate programs:

1. Sociology and Social Anthropology
2. History, Archaeology, and Heritage Management
3. Theater Arts with Film Studies
4. Journalism and Communication (Broadcast Journalism)
5. Journalism and Communication (Multimedia)
6. Social Work
7. Geography and Development Studies
8. Political Science & International Relations
9. Fine Arts and Design
10. Music
11. Public Relations and Strategic Communication

Graduate Programs

The graduate programs consist of 4 programs:

Master's Programs

• Food Security and Development
• Regional and Local Development Analysis and Planning

Doctoral Programs

• Food Security and Development
• Environmental and Landscape Planning

College of Health Sciences (CHS)

The College of Health Sciences (CHS) comprises four schools and eighteen departments. It aims to standardize curricula across disciplines and address community health needs through integrated approaches, facilitating cross-disciplinary collaboration in health education and research.

• Schools
• School of Nursing and Midwifery (SNM)
• School of Pharmacy (SoP)
• School of Public Health (SoPH)
• School of Medicine (SoM)
• Departments
• Surgery (S)
• Radiation Medicine (RM)
• Pharmacology and Biochemistry (PB)
• Pediatrics and Child Health (PCH)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OG)
• Microbiology, Parasitology, Immunology and Pathology (MPIP)
• Dermatovenereology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurology and Nuclear Medicine (DMPNNM)
• Ophthalmology (O)
• Dentistry (D)
• Anatomy (A)
• Anaesthesia and Anaesthesiology (AA)
• Reproductive Health Service Management (RHSM)
• Preventive Medicine (PM)
• Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy (PSP)
• Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy (PCP)
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (PChP)
• Nursing and Midwifery (NM)
• Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS)

CHS Programs

The CHS Programs include a total of 8 undergraduate programs:

1. Medical Laboratory Sciences
2. Midwifery
3. Nursing
4. Pharmacy
5. Anesthesia
6. Doctor of Dental Medicine
7. Medical Radiologic Technology
8. Doctor of Medicine

College of Technology and Built Environment (CTBE)

The College of Technology and Built Environment (CTBE) is newly established, resulting from the consolidation of the former Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAiT) and the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture and Building Construction (EiABC). It focuses on technology and engineering education, with roots dating back to 1953. The college encompasses eight schools and ten departments, providing a platform for advanced education and innovation in various engineering and architectural fields.

• Schools
• Pre Engineering School (PES)
• School of Multi-disciplinary Engineering (SMDE)
• School of Chemical and Bio Engineering (SCBE)
• School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (SMIE)
• School of Information Technology Engineering (SITE)
• School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (SECE)
• School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE)
• School of Built Environment (SBE)
• Departments
• Center of Railway Engineering (CRE)
• Center of Energy Technology (CET)
• Center of Materials Engineering (CME)
• Center of Biomedical Engineering (CBE)
• Urban and Regional Planning (URP)
• Project & Construction Management (PCM)
• Infrastructure Design and Construction (IDC)
• Ecosystem Planning and Management (EPaM)
• Building Technology & Structural Design (BTSD)
• Architecture & Architectural Design (AAD)

CTBE Programs

The CTBE Programs include a total of 10 undergraduate programs:

1. Architecture and Design
2. Construction Technology Management
3. Urban and Regional Planning
4. Software Engineering and Computing Technology (Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Information Technology)
5. Civil Engineering
6. Biomedical Engineering
7. Mechanical Engineering
8. Chemical Engineering
9. Electrical Engineering
10. Integrated Architectural Design

The graduate programs consist of 36 master's programs and 24 doctoral programs:

Master's Programs (Total: 36)

1. Integrated Architectural Design
2. Infrastructure Planning and Management
3. Conservation of Urban and Architectural Heritage
4. Landscape Architecture
5. Urban Planning and Design
6. Property Valuation and Management
7. Sustainable Housing and Environment
8. Process Engineering
9. Food Engineering
10. Artificial Intelligence
11. Environmental Engineering
12. Cybersecurity
13. Industrial Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
14. Industrial Engineering
15. Thermal Engineering
16. Mechanical Design Engineering
17. Manufacturing Engineering
18. Applied Mechanics
19. Renewable Energy Technology
20. Computer Engineering
21. Communication Engineering
22. Electrical Power Engineering
23. Control Engineering
24. Traction and Train Control Engineering
25. Traction and Train Control
26. Civil Infrastructure
27. Instrumentation and Imaging
28. Biomechanics and Rehabilitation
29. Control and Automation (Sugar Engineering)
30. Hydraulics Engineering
31. Geomatics Engineering
32. Geotechnical Engineering
33. Civil and Environmental Engineering (Water Supply and Environmental Engineering)
34. Civil Engineering (Road and Transport Engineering)
35. Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering)
36. Civil and Environmental Engineering

Doctoral Programs (Total: 24)

1. Urban and Regional Planning
2. Process Engineering
3. Food Engineering
4. Environmental Engineering
5. Cybersecurity
6. Industrial Engineering
7. Thermal Engineering
8. Manufacturing Engineering
9. Computer Engineering
10. Communication Engineering
11. Electrical Power Engineering
12. Control Engineering
13. Railway System Management
14. Traction and Train Control Engineering
15. Rolling Stock Engineering
16. Civil Infrastructure and Engineering
17. Biomedical Engineering
18. Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
19. Construction Engineering and Management
20. Road and Transportation Engineering
21. Geotechnical Engineering
22. Civil and Environmental Engineering (Water Supply and Environmental Engineering)
23. Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering)
24. Civil and Environmental Engineering

School of Law

Established on 23 September 1963, the School of Law is Ethiopia's oldest and most prominent law school. Initially founded to educate legal professionals based on new Ethiopian laws, it now offers five Master’s programs, a PhD in Law, and the flagship LLB program. The school has significantly contributed to the judiciary and legal services in Ethiopia. In 2024, it regained its status as an autonomous college within Addis Ababa University.

• Academic Unit
• School of Law (SoL) (Bachelor of Laws (LLB))

College of Business and Economics (CoBE)

The College of Business and Economics (CoBE) was formed from the former Faculty of Business and Economics, established in 1990, and the School of Commerce, founded in 1943. It has a rich history dating back to the Department of Economics created in 1959, producing leaders in business and industry throughout Ethiopia.

Academic Units

College of Business and Economics (CoBE) has one school and seven departments. They are:

• School of Commerce (SoC)
• Department of Accounting & Finance (AF)
• Department of Management (M)
• Department of Economics (E)
• Department of Public Administration and Development Management (PA)
• Department of Marketing Management (MM)
• Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PSCM)
• Department of Business Administration and Information Systems (BAIS)

The College of Business and Economics (CoBE) offers a wide range of programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various business and economic fields. Below is a detailed breakdown of the programs offered at the undergraduate, graduate (MSc), and doctoral (PhD) levels.

Undergraduate Programs (UG): Total of 8 Programs

CoBE provides the following 8 undergraduate programs :

• Art in Marketing Management
• Art in Management
• Arts in Economics
• Arts in Accounting and Finance
• Business Administration Information System (Emphasize BA Aspects)
• Arts Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Public Administration & Development Management
• Accounting & Finance

Graduate Programs (MSc): Total of 13 Programs

CoBE offers 13 Master's (MSc) programs across diverse fields:

• Project Management
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Public Management and Policy
• International Business and Strategy
• International Business
• Master Business Administration (MBA)
• Management
• Financial Economics and Investment Management
• Economics
• Accounting and Finance
• Business Information System
• Business Leadership
• Marketing Management.

Doctoral Programs (PhD): Total of 7 Programs

CoBE offers 7 doctoral (PhD) programs :

• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Public Management and Policy
• Management
• Economics
• Accounting and Finance (with two tracks: Accounting and Finance)
• Industrial Management
• Business Leadership

College of Education and Language Studies (CELS)

The College of Education and Language Studies (CELS) was reconstituted in 2024 following Addis Ababa University’s establishment as an autonomous university. It emerged from the merger of the former College of Education and Behavioral Studies and the Language Studies program. CELS focuses on transformative education, research, and community engagement, offering undergraduate, graduate (MA/MSc/MEd), and PhD degrees, as well as diplomas and certificate programs in education and language studies.

Academic Units

The College of Education and Language Studies (CELS) has twelve departments. They are:

• Department of Science and Mathematics Education (SME)
• School of Psychology (SP)
• Department of Curriculum and Teachers Professionals Development Studies (CTPD)
• Special Needs Department (SND)
• Department of Social Science and Language Education (SSLD)
• Center for Early Childhood Care and Education (CECCE)
• Department of Educational Planning & Management (EPM)
• Department of Oromo Language, Literature and Folklore (OLLF)
• Department of Linguistics (L)
• Department of Foreign Language and Literature (FLI)
• Department of Tigrigna Language, Literature and Folklore (TLLF)
• Department of Amharic Language, Literature and Folklore (ALLF)

The College of Education and Language Studies (CELS) offers 20 undergraduate programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in education, language studies, and related fields.

Undergraduate Programs (UG): Total of 20 Programs

1. Ethiopian Sign Language and Deaf Culture Studies with Ethiopian Sign Language Interpreting
2. Amharic Language, Literature and Folklore
3. Oromo Language and Literature
4. English Language and Literature
5. Chinese Language
6. Arabic Language and Communication
7. Chemistry Education
8. Mathematics Education
9. Geography Education
10. History Education
11. Physics Education
12. BEd in Biology
13. English Language Education
14. Afan Oromo Language Education
15. Amharic Language Education
16. Psychology
17. Physical Education
18. Special Needs and Inclusive Education
19. Civics and Ethical Education
20. Educational Planning & Management

College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture at Addis Ababa University traces its roots to 1963 with the establishment of the School of Animal Health Assistants. The college focuses on teaching, problem-solving research, and community service. Graduates have found positions in universities, research centers, and various sectors both nationally and internationally. Notable public services include the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Donkey Sanctuary, and SPANA.

Academic Units

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture has nine departments/centers. They are:

• Department of Microbiology and Immunology (MI)
• Department of Parasitology and Pathology (PP)
• Department of Clinical Studies (CLS)
• Department of Biomedical Science (BMS)
• Department of Agriculture (Selale Campus) (AGRI)
• Department of Animal Production Studies (APS)
• Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)
• Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Poultry Health (MPPH)
• Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (VEPH)

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture (CVMA) offers 2 undergraduate programs , 8 master's (MSc) programs , and 3 doctoral (PhD) programs designed to equip students with specialized knowledge in veterinary science, animal health, and related fields.

Undergraduate Programs (UG): Total of 2 Programs

1. Veterinary Science (BVSc)
2. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Master's Programs (MSc): Total of 8 Programs

1. Tropical Infectious Diseases, Vet Epidemiology and Public Health
2. Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology
3. Poultry Health and Management
4. One Health
5. Veterinary Clinical Science
6. Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology
7. Animal Production
8. One Health

Doctoral Programs (PhD): Total of 3 Programs

1. One Health
2. Veterinary Science
3. Animal Production

College of Natural Sciences (CNS)

The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is a flagship institution of Addis Ababa University, dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and innovation. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs aimed at equipping students with a thorough knowledge of the natural world, preparing them for careers in research, academia, and industry. CNS boasts state-of-the-art research facilities and fosters interdisciplinary research to address real-world challenges.

Academic Units

The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) has two schools and thirty-four departments/centers. They are:

• Department of Zoological Science (ZS)
• School of Earth Science (ES)
• Department of Statistics (STAT)
• School of Information Science (IS)
• Department of Sport Science (SS)
• Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management (PBBM)
• Department of Physics (PHY)
• Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (MCMB)
• Department of Mathematics (MATH)
• Department of General Biology (GB)
• Department of Computer Science (CS)
• Department of Chemistry (CHEM)
• Center for Climate Science (CCS)
• Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM)
• Center for Food Science (FS)
• Center for Environmental Science (CES)
• Department of Computational Science (CSPU)
• Department of Materials Science (MSPU)
• Department of Paleoanthropology and Paleoenvironment (PPPU)
• Center for Pathobiology Research (CPR)
• Center for Implementation Science (CIS)
• Center for Drug Development & Therapeutic Trials (CDT)
• Center for Environmental Health Research (CEHR)
• Center for the Study of Ethiopian History & Society (CSEHS)
• Center for Ethiopian Language & Culture (CELC)
• Center for Indigenous Knowledge Research (CIKR)
• Center for Museum Studies (CMS)
• Center for Water Research (CWR)
• Center for Environment & Climate Research (CECR)
• Center for Sustainable Development (CSD)
• Center for Educational Research (CER)
• Center for Financial and Economic Research (CFER)
• Center for Sustainable Tourism & Heritage (STHC)
• Center for Biotechnology Research (CBR)
• Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CALR)
• Center for Industrial Technology (IT)

The College of Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS) offers 9 undergraduate programs designed to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills in natural sciences, computational sciences, and related fields.

Undergraduate Programs (UG): Total of 9 Programs

1. Information Systems
2. Computer Science
3. Mathematics
4. Statistics
5. Geology
6. Physics
7. Chemistry
8. Biology
9. Sport Science

Addis Ababa University has 15 campuses. They are:

1. Sidist Kilo Campus(Main Campus)
2. Yekatit 12 campus
3. CBE Campus
4. Yared School Campus
5. Amist Kilo Campus
6. Arat Kilo campus
7. Abune Petros Campus
8. Tikur Anbessa Campus
9. Commerce School Campus
10. Lideta Campus
11. Akaki Campus
12. Bishoftu Campus
13. Salale Campus
14. Art School Campus
15. Sefere Selam Campus