In a remarkable display of its dedication to national infrastructure advancement and accessible education for local communities, Jimma University proudly celebrated the achievements of over 120 graduates during two significant ceremonies this week.
The first event, held on October 4, 2025, focused on community outreach, honoring the graduation of 84 students at the Ameya Center in the Konta Zone. This ceremony took place at the Elephant Dana Lodge within the Cherera Chuchura National Park and recognized students who completed programs in Accounting and Finance, Project Management, Business Administration, and Natural Resource Management. Dignitaries in attendance included Mr. Nega Abera, Deputy Government Focal Person for the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region, and Mr. Takele Tesfu, Chief Administrator of Konta Zone.
On October 5, 2025, Jimma University marked a historic achievement for Ethiopia’s energy sector by celebrating the graduation of 37 employees from the Koysha Power Project. In partnership with Ethiopian Electric Power and Webuild, this event was notable as it represented the first instance in Ethiopia where employees working on a major power generation project earned second degrees while on-site.
The graduates, consisting of 33 men and 4 women, specialized in critical fields such as Construction Engineering and Management, Project Management and Finance, and Business Administration. Esteemed representatives from Ethiopian Electric Power, including Engineer Efrem W/Kidan—who represented the General Manager—joined Jimma University officials, local administrators, project staff, and the graduates’ families at the ceremony.
In both ceremonies, Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University, emphasized the institution’s overarching mission. At the Koysha event, he highlighted the importance of industry-academia partnerships in cultivating a skilled workforce for Ethiopia’s growing energy sector. At the Ameya Center, he reaffirmed the university’s commitment to community engagement and its role in supporting over 28,000 students across various programs.
Representatives from Ethiopian Electric Power commended the Koysha graduates for their dedication, noting that their newly acquired skills would be vital for the success of future national projects. The Konta Zone graduation, a product of the Outreach Weekend Program partnership between the Konta Development Association and Jimma University, underscores a shared commitment to making education accessible and directly relevant to community needs.
Together, these ceremonies exemplify Jimma University’s multifaceted role in empowering Ethiopians with the knowledge and expertise necessary to advance both national initiatives and local community development.