Jimma University officially held a handover ceremony today between the outgoing President, Dr. Jemal Abafita, and the newly appointed President, Dr. Dereje Engida. Dr. Jemal Abafita has served the institution as president for the past seven years.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Dr. Eba Mijina, Executive Lead for Academic Affairs at the Ministry of Education; Jimma City Mayor Teha Kemer; Wase Girma, Head of the Prosperity Party Office in Jimma City; Abdu Nasir, Head of the Administration Desk at the Ministry of Education; and Chane Adferes. Also in attendance were the university’s vice presidents, senate members, and board members.
In his farewell address, Dr. Jemal Abafita reflected on his seven-year journey (2019–2025), which began with a competitive selection process and was defined by a deep commitment to strengthening the institution while transforming what needed to change. He highlighted key achievements, including advancing the university’s distinctive Community-Based Education (CBE) philosophy into a 21st-century model, achieving historic international accreditations, rising in global rankings, significantly expanding PhD and master’s programs, boosting research and innovation with grants and publications in top journals like The Lancet and Science, building digital infrastructure, and preparing the university for institutional autonomy through rigorous planning.
Dr. Jemal emphasized that these successes belong not to him alone but to the entire university community. He urged future leadership to remain ambitious, reform-minded, and globally connected yet deeply rooted in the community. While stepping down from office, he expressed his gratitude and confidence, reminding everyone that the institution is greater than any individual. He concluded with his enduring hope that Jimma University will continue to rise, serve Ethiopia, and claim its rightful place among the world’s leading universities.
Incoming President Dr. Dereje Engida, who previously served as President of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, has been appointed as the acting president of Jimma University. In his remarks, Dr. Dereje reaffirmed his commitment to working collaboratively with the entire university community to advance Jimma University’s core missions of research, teaching, and community service. As a research-intensive institution, he noted, the university will strive for continuous improvement, with a particular focus on ensuring a smooth transition to institutional autonomy. This, he emphasized, will require dedicated effort, close collaboration, and round-the-clock work to transform the institution’s trajectory.
Dr. Dereje stressed that the university must generate technologies that benefit the world while tangibly improving the lives of the surrounding community. Every teacher, he said, is called to inspire students and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, which in turn drives innovation and self-reliance. Educational quality and international accreditation remain top priorities. He identified the foremost priority as the student, followed by staff and the community, with a goal of generating additional income for the community and encouraging staff to adopt entrepreneurial approaches. Research must go beyond publication to produce meaningful, applicable outcomes, and the university must remain sharply focused on technology generation.
Dr. Dereje expressed full confidence in achieving the strategic vision through partnership with the JU community, city administration, and local communities. He outlined four key pillars: first, advancing research, teaching, and community service; second, ensuring a smooth autonomy transition; third, embedding quality and risk management as an institutional culture; and fourth, bringing the university’s motto”We are in the community” to life by effecting real change in people’s lives.
Finally, he extended gratitude to the former president and pledged transparency, open dialogue, and an approachable leadership style, welcoming feedback from all stakeholders.
Dr. Eba Mijina emphasized the critical role of the university in national development and stressed the importance of ongoing institutional reforms. He noted that autonomy is essential for the institution to contribute effectively to the country’s growth and that the university’s strategic direction must arise from the nation’s needs. He also called on the university to establish robust institutional systems, and to ensure a smooth leadership transition by properly transferring all institutional documents.
Following the ceremony, the new president, alongside the former president and university executives, visited the university’s research labs and agricultural initiatives, underscoring the institution’s commitment to research and community engagement.
A New Chapter for Jimma University
The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter for Jimma University, with all stakeholders pledging their support for the institution’s continued growth and impact.