Autonomy Empowers Addis Ababa University to Cultivate Academic Excellence, Impactful Research: Acting President

Addis Ababa, June 27, 2026 (ENA)_ Addis Ababa University’s transition to an autonomous institution has unlocked profound potential, granting the institutional independence necessary to foster nation-building research and nurture highly competent graduates, Acting President Samuel Kifle announced.

The premier institution is celebrating its 76th graduation commencement, conferring undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees upon 6,417 accomplished students across various disciplines.

 

 

The grand ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister of Education and University Chancellor Professor Berhanu Nega, Ethio Telecom CEO and University Board Chairperson Frehiwot Tamru, senior government dignitaries, families of the graduates, and invited guests.

In his congratulatory message, Samuel remarked that this year’s graduation holds historical significance, arriving on the heels of the university’s historic 75th anniversary, celebrating its enduring legacy of academic excellence, research, and innovation.

He emphasized that this commencement marks a defining chapter in the institution’s history, showcasing the practical realization of the administrative autonomy the university has long championed.

This transition has fundamentally empowered the university to admit students based on its own stringent criteria, expand its specialized academic curricula, and operate with full institutional liberty, he added.

Highlighting the university’s global competitiveness, the Acting President noted that Addis Ababa University is recognized as the leading institution in East Africa and ranks among the top five universities on the continent, a testament to its prolific research output and academic publications.

 

 

He further disclosed that the university achieved an outstanding 91 percent pass rate on the recent national exit examination, with 3,602 students passing out of the 3,602 who sat for the test.

Remarkably, candidates from 18 distinct academic programs achieved a flawless 100 percent passing rate, the Acting President added.

Graduating at a time when our nation is brimming with immense promise and the world is undergoing rapid industrial transformation, the future before you is exceptionally bright, he told the graduates.

He reminded the graduates that their academic journey has equipped them with the resilience needed to navigate these complex global dynamics and instilled in them the mindset of lifelong learners.

Samuel underscored that the path of autonomy enables the university to self-govern with greater liberty and accountability. This, in turn, will facilitate the expansion of programs designed to propel Ethiopia's comprehensive prosperity while reinforcing institutional and administrative frameworks.

Furthermore, it allows the institution to independently identify, recruit, and cultivate highly talented and exceptional students from all corners of the nation.

In his closing remarks, he called upon the graduates to transform their acquired knowledge into profound wisdom, urging them to become visionary problem-solvers for both their homeland and the global community.