Mekelle University


Mekelle University is a higher education and training public institution located in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. Mekelle University is one of the largest public universities in Ethiopia. It has seven colleges, eight institutes, and more than 90 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programs. The student intake capacity of Mekelle University has reached 31,000 or 10% of Mekelle's population.

History

The Arid Zone Agricultural College was established at the University of Asmara, but was then moved to Agarfa in southern Ethiopia in 1990. In 1993, the Arid Zone Agricultural College was moved to Mekelle and started with 42 students in 3 degree programs. After two years, the Faculty of Science and Technology was established at the same campus and, together, these two faculties were then combined into Mekelle University College. Also, a Faculty of Law started its operation by accepting diploma students through a continuing education program.
In May 2000, the Government of Ethiopia formalized Mekelle University as an autonomous higher education institution. Professor Mitiku Haile became the first president.

Academics

Colleges

A village existed at the edge of the escarpment overlooking Mekelle. On a nearby hill, the Iyesus church was established. The villagers fetched their water from the May Anishti spring underneath. In 1895, a fort was established on the small hill overlooking the campus, and the place served as a military stronghold, that was conquered by the Italian army in 1935.
In 1938, there was a shop-restaurant, a post, telephone and telegraph office, an Italian military post and a military cemetery.
In 1938, the village of Inda Iyesus counted approximately 350 inhabitants.
After the Italian defeat in 1941, the place was taken over by the Ethiopian army, who expanded it into a large military camp.
After the defeat of the Derg army in 1989, the place was used for a few years by the TPLF army after which it was transferred to the Ministry of Education for the establishment of the "Arid Zone College" that would gradually grow into Mekelle University.
Popular names of the campus are taken from this history: Arid Campus and Inda Iyesus Campus.

Parks

Mekelle University main campus hosts several parks: