Thousands of Students Graduate from 14 Public Universities

ADDIS ABABA – Thousands of students graduated from public universities nationwide on Saturday as the graduation season for the 2021/22 academic year starts in Ethiopia.

More than a dozen of public universities graduated students in various fields of studies, according to the Ministry of Education.

These institutions are Addis Ababa Science and Technology, Dire Dawa, Hawassa, Jimma, Gondar, Wolkite, Gambella, Adama Science and Technology, Wachemo, Ambo, Mettu, Haramaya, Dilla, and Arba Minch Universities. 

The graduation ceremonies were attended by senior government officials, public figures, and families of the graduates.

Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen congratulated the 1, 474 graduates with first and second bachelor’s degrees.

Demeke said the context of your next chapter in life “is very broad and elaborate”, advising them to prepare themselves in a responsible manner. 

He also told the graduates to help their country narrow the development gap with the advanced world. “We have a lot to catch up with the advancing world. Put Ethiopia first, know your country well, and empathize with the people,” Demeke said.

Demeke’s advice was later echoed by PM Abiy Ahmed in his congratulatory message to this year’s graduates in Ethiopia.

“As many graduate from their studies this season, the task each graduate is called upon is to be pillars of Ethiopia’s development… to innovate, to find solutions to societal challenges and become beacons of hope for many,” PM Abiy said in the message posted on his Twitter page.

Among the 13 public institutions that graduated their students on Saturday, Hawassa University graduated the highest with more than 6,400. At least 334 medical doctors also graduated from Gondar University.