Semera University

Background of Samara University

Samara University, the sole university in the Afar Regional State, was established in 2006 as part of a national vision recognizing the transformative power of education and research. Over the past 15 years, it has grown significantly, now encompassing:

• 48 Departments
• 7 Colleges
• 3 Schools

The university serves 7,336 students across regular and non-regular programs, fostering a diverse and inclusive community that values talent and knowledge over background or ethnicity.

Location and History

Located in the Afar Regional State, near Samara town and the Sultan Alimirah Hanfre Airport, Samara University is about 590 kilometers from Addis Ababa and 1.5 kilometers from the Ethio-Djibouti international highway. As one of Ethiopia's second-generation universities, it began with:

• 3 Faculties
• 12 Departments
• 69 Teachers
• 6 Administrative Employees

Initially enrolling 1,867 students, the university has matured into a significant educational institution.

Current Status

Today, the campus is home to:

• 1,005 Teachers
• 1,389 Administrative Employees
• 7,326 Students

The dedicated faculty and staff provide robust support to students, enhancing their success and career aspirations. Students have numerous opportunities for internships, seminars, and other relevant activities.

Community Engagement

Samara University is recognized as an Ambassador of Peace and Mutual Coexistence by national authorities. It maintains a peaceful environment, even during national instabilities, contributing significantly to the local community and addressing various societal challenges.

Mission

• The provision of quality education to produce capable trained manpower for sustainable national development, conducting problem solving research, transfer technology that build the capacity of community and industries for sustainable change

Vision

• To be Beacon University in Pastoral Development Education and Research in East Africa by 2030.

Core Values

• Passion to quality
• Sense of ownership
• Lifelong learning
• Power of reason
• Creativity, and adaptability
• Social Responsibility
• Trustworthiness
• Teamwork/collaboration

Colleges

• College of Dry Land Agriculture
• College of Medical and Health Sciences
• College of Natural & Computational Science
• Collage of Engineering and Technology
• Collage of Business and Economics
• Collage of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
• Collage of Social Science and Humanity

Schools

• School of Law and Governance
• School of Tourism & Hospitality Management
• School of Earth Science

1. College of Dryland Agriculture (CDA)

• Established: Alongside Samara University.
• Focus: Producing skilled human resources in dryland agriculture.
• Departments: 7 full-fledged departments.
• Faculty: 133 members, including 11 Ph.D. holders.
• Contributions: Quality research and community service targeting pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.

Departments in Dry Agricultural College

• Agrobusiness Value Chain Management
• Horticulture
• Plant Science
• Agricultural Economics
• Natural Resource Management
• Rural Development & Agricultural Extension

2. College of Medical and Health Sciences (CMHS)

• Established: 2012 with the Nursing department.
• Initial Enrollment: 55 regular and 76 extension Nursing students.
• Initial Staff: 7 bachelor's degree holders, 3 master's degree holders.
• Expanded Programs: Midwifery and Public Health added in 2013.
• Post-Basic Programs: Started in collaboration with the regional health bureau.
• Postgraduate Programs: Launched in partnership with Mekelle University (MPH in 2015; Public Health Nutrition and Reproductive Health in 2017).
• Current Structure: 6 departments—Nursing, Biomedical, Midwifery, Public Health, Health Informatics, and School of Medicine.
• Current Enrollment: 454 undergraduate students (199 female, 255 male) and 196 postgraduate students (45 female, 157 male).
• Quality Audit: Conducted in early 2023 for doctoral degree acceptance in medicine.

Departments

List of departments in College of medical and health science

Undergraduate Programs

• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Public Health
• Biomedical Sciences
• Health Informatics
• School of Medicine

Postgraduate Programs

• General Public Health
• Public Health in Nutrition
• Public Health in Reproductive Health

3. College of Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS)

• Established: Alongside Samara University.
• Focus: Producing skilled professionals in Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computational Sciences, and Statistical Sciences.
• Departments: 6 fully-fledged departments.
• Faculty: 124 members, including 8 Ph.D. holders.
• Commitment: Excellence in teaching, quality research, and community service.
• Impact: Addresses needs of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, promoting sustainable development and improving livelihoods.

Departments in College of Natural and Computational Science

• Sport Science
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Biology
• Chemistry

4. College of Engineering and Technology

• Established: July 7, 2011.
• Role: Integral to the academic mission of Samara University and the country's growth and transformation plan.
• Focus: Emphasizes fundamental concepts of engineering and technology.
• Programs: Provide a solid foundation in mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences, integrated with social sciences and humanities.
• Goal: Prepare engineers and technologists to innovate and address future technological advancements.

Departments in College of Engineering and Technology

Undergraduate Programs

• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Construction Technology Management
• Water Resource & Irrigation Engineering

Postgraduate Programs

• Computer Science
• Road and Transport Studies
• Structural Engineering

5. College of Business and Economics (CBE)

• Education Focus: Comprehensive training in various business disciplines.
• Practical Experience: Emphasis on internships and real-world projects.
• Networking: Strong alumni and industry connections for career opportunities.
• Entrepreneurship: Encourages innovation and the development of new ventures.
• Global Perspectives: Integrates global insights into the curriculum.
• Environment: Dynamic setting that fosters personal and professional growth.

Departments College of Business and Economics (CBE)

Undergraduate Programs

• Accounting and Finance
• Economics
• Management
• Marketing Management
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Postgraduate Programs

• Accounting and Finance
• Development Economics
• Business Administration
• Marketing Management
• Project Planning and Management

6. College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (CVMAS)

• Established: 2011 at Samara University.
• Departments: Four departments
• Undergraduate Programs: Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Animal Science.
• Postgraduate Programs: Master of Veterinary Public Health, Master of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Master of Animal Production.

Departments in College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (CVMAS)

Undergraduate Programs

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science

Postgraduate Programs

• Veterinary Public Health

7. Collage Of Social Science and Humanity

Departments in College of Social Science and Humanity

Undergraduate Programs

• Sociology
• Geography & Environmental Studies
• English Language & Literature
• Arabic Language and Literature
• Anthropology
• Amharic Language and Literature
• Qafar Af and Literature
• Professional Education
• History and Heritage Management
• Journalism and Communication
• Archaeology

Postgraduate Programs

• Disaster Risk Management and Pastoral Development
• Sociology
• Applied Linguistics and Communication in Afar Af
• Applied Linguistics in Afar Af Teaching
• Educational Planning and Pastoral Education

8. School of Law and Governance

• Official Establishment: The Department of Law was founded in August 2004 E.C.
• Development: It was developed into a full-fledged Law School in February 2008 E.C.
• Context: Established within the broader objectives of Samara University, initially as part of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Departments in School of Law and Governance

• Law
• Civic and Ethical Studies

9. School of Tourism & Hospitality Management

Departments

• Tourism and Hotel Management program

10. School of Earth Science (SoES)

• Establishment: Founded alongside the establishment of Samara University as a Center of Excellence.
• Focus: Conducts training and research in geo-sciences, collaborating with local and international partners.
• Contributions: Significant impact on human resource development in geo-sciences and understanding Ethiopia's geology and resources.
• Programs: Offers one undergraduate program and two postgraduate programs.
• Faculty: Comprises 28 school members, including 3 Ph.D. holders.