Gambella University
Gambella University is a public higher education institution located in Gambella, the capital of the Gambella People's National Regional State in western Ethiopia. The university was established in 2014 to contribute to education, research, and regional development. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple fields of study.
History
The institution was initially founded as Gambella Agricultural, Technical, Vocational and Educational Training College in 2002 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Over a decade, GATVET graduated more than 1,950 diploma students and 493 certificate students.In 2012, it became affiliated with Mettu University as the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In 2014, it was re-established as an independent public university. The foundation stone for Gambella University was laid by then-Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and the President of GPNRS, Gatluak Tut.
Academic structure
As of 2025, Gambella University operates the following academic units:Colleges
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resource
- College of Engineering and Technology
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences
Faculties
- Faculty of Business and Economics
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Schools
- School of Law
- Postgraduate School
Undergraduate programs include fields such as Civics and Ethical Education, Gender and Development Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology and Social Anthropology, History and Heritage Management, and Law.
Postgraduate programs include degrees such as:
- Master of Arts in Peace and Security Studies
- Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- Master of Science in Animal Production
- Master of Science in Environmental Science
- Master of Science in Mathematics
- Master of Laws in Human Rights
Research and community engagement
Gambella University engages in research activities related to agriculture, health, natural resource management, and social development. The institution also implements community service projects, targeting issues such as food security, public health improvement, and environmental conservation.International collaborations
The university has established academic and research partnerships with national and international institutions, including:- In January 2024, Gambella University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Armauer Hansen Research Institute to collaborate on research in agriculture, health sciences, and technology.
- In February 2024, the university established a partnership with ICCS College of Engineering and Management in Kerala, India.
- In April 2024, an agreement was signed with Hannam University in Daejeon, South Korea, focusing on academic collaboration and faculty development.