Addis Ababa University HistoryAAU : SINCE 1950
Brief History
Addis Ababa University (AAU) is a pioneer university in Ethiopia, located in Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. It is the most prestigious national university and one of the best in Africa. It commenced as the University College of Addis Ababa in 1950 initially consisting of the Faculties of Arts and Science, eventually becoming a fully-fledged college when it earned a chartered status in 1954.
In February 1961, various colleges, including the Theological College, formed Haile Selassie I University. The emperor offered his Guenete Leul Palace, which was at the heart of the 6-kilo main campus, to serve as the nucleus of administration. Emperor Haile Selassie left the palace after a number of his ministers and royal entourage were assassinated in December 1960 abortive Coup d'état. Following the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution, the university was briefly renamed the University of Ethiopia (National University) before it assumed its present name - Addis Ababa University in 1975.
In the aftermath of the revolution, Addis Ababa University’s was closed for two years, and students and staff were mobilised for service in what was known as the Development through Cooperation Campaign (Ideget Behibret zemecha), designed to bring enlightenment to the rural population in the spirit of the revolution.
The university opened its first Master's programs in 1979 and its first PhD programs in 1987 that saw massive expansion across all academic fields in subsequent years. . In both national and African yearly rankings, AAU continues to secure a position of prestige.
The Present Status
The Council of Ministers of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), approved an autonomous establishment draft regulation of Addis Ababa University (AAU) during its 23rd regular meeting on 4 August, 2023. The Federal Government issued the University Autonomy Proclamation to ensure higher education institutions' academic independence and freedom from political and administrative interference. Accordingly, a draft regulation was prepared and submitted to the Council of Ministers to transform AAU into a self governing institution. and to implement the autonomous university system as a role model for other Federal Universities in the country. Since September 2023, with the participation of its colleges and research institutions, Addis Ababa University has been carrying out multifaceted technical and professional tasks in connection with the reform process. The university management has been diligently involved in addressing pitfalls and drawbacks. As a result of effective university communications and partnerships with relevant global and national institutions, Addis Ababa University is now on the correct path to full autonomy. It is expected that autonomy will bring numerous benefits to the nation's oldest and best university in terms of added visibility and prestige arising from improved performance across all segments of the university’s mission.
Future Direction: Consolidating Leadership in Science and Scholarship
The University has prepared a Strategic Plan for 2024 -2028 to maintain its prestigious position and hasten its progress to full autonomy. The Vision, Mission, and Values in this five-year strategic plan are concise statements that guide its diverse bodies with a sense of purpose, and help them execute the expected tasks to meet stated goals and objectives. The strategic plan was enriched with input from stakeholders and went through a long process involving careful research and assessment of past and current initiatives. The Plan encompasses the agenda which the university will implement during the five-year roadmap to enable it to contribute to the country’s social, economic, political and cultural transformation.
The Strategic Plan addresses nine strategic themes and initiatives with the prime intention of ripening effective and accountable governance and organizational culture with a solid structure and system. Out of all this, an extraordinary educational experience will arise that enables students to master higher learning and achieve better, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial competence. By carefully integrating the trilogy of teaching, research and community services, Addis Ababa University will combat Ethiopia’s multiple socio-economic, political and environmental challenges.
