Madda Walabu University

Madda Walabu University
Yunivarsiitii Madda Walaabuu
Motto	"Devoted To Impact"
Type	Public
Established	2006
President	Berhanemeskel Tena(PhD)
Students	12,190
Location	Robe, Oromia Region, Ethiopia; 7°08′35″N 39°59′56″E / 7.143°N 39.999°E
Campus	Bale Robe main Campus, Goba Health College and Teaching Referral Hospital;
Language	English, Amharic and Afan Oromo
Website	Official website

Madda Walabu University (MWU) is a public university located in Robe, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Established in March 2005 and officially inaugurated in 2006, it is an autonomous public higher education institution under the Ethiopian Ministry of Education.^[2] The university's main campus is situated approximately 430 km (270 mi) southeast of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

The university operates three campuses in Robe, Goba, and Shashemene. It offers 116 academic programmes, comprising 52 undergraduate, 58 master's, and 6 doctoral programmes, delivered through 79 departments organized under six colleges and three schools. Its principal academic and research focus areas include agriculture, tourism, biodiversity, and health sciences.

History

The university is named after Madda Walabu, a historic site located about 227 km (141 mi) southwest of Robe in southeastern Ethiopia.^[3] The site holds significant historical and cultural importance for the Oromo people and is traditionally regarded as one of the centres of Oromo spiritual, cultural, and political life. It is associated with the Gadaa system and the Chaffe (general assembly), and is regarded in Oromo tradition as one of the cradles of Oromo civilization.^[3]^[4]

The university derives its name from the site in recognition of its historical and cultural significance. Since its establishment, Madda Walabu University has expanded its academic programmes, campuses, research activities, and community engagement initiatives to serve southeastern Ethiopia.

Vision

Madda Walabu University aims to become an autonomous, innovative, and community-engaged university recognised nationally and internationally for practical education, applied research, good governance, and digital transformation by 2035.

Mission

The university's mission is to produce competent, ethical, and innovative graduates; undertake problem-solving research; empower communities; and promote sustainable development through quality education, technology transfer, community engagement, and good governance.

Core values

The university identifies the following institutional core values:

Customer-centred service
Quality first
Academic freedom
Accountability
Trustworthiness
Fighting corruption
Equity and inclusiveness
Serving humanity

Motto

Devoted to Impact.

Campus

Madda Walabu University operates three campuses:

Robe Campus (Main Campus)
Goba Campus
Shashemene Campus

The university serves Bale, East Bale, West Arsi, and East Borena zones of Oromia Regional State. Its geographical setting provides access to diverse ecosystems, cultural heritage sites, forests, agricultural areas, and tourism destinations that support teaching, research, and community service.

Governance and administration

Madda Walabu University is administered as a public higher education institution under the Ministry of Education.

The university's governance structure includes:

President
Vice Presidents
Academic Commission
University Senate
Directorates and administrative offices

Academic organisation

The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate education through six colleges and three schools.

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The College offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in agricultural sciences, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, rural development, and related fields.

College of Engineering

The College provides engineering education in civil, mechanical, hydraulic, construction, architecture, electrical, and related engineering disciplines.

College of Computing

The College offers programmes in computer science, information systems, information science, information technology, and data science.

College of Natural and Computational Sciences

The College provides programmes in mathematics, statistics, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and sport science.

College of Social Sciences and Humanities

The College offers programmes in languages, geography, history, journalism, sociology, governance, environmental studies, and related disciplines.

College of Business and Economics

The College provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in management, accounting and finance, economics, marketing, tourism, hospitality, and business administration.

School of Health Sciences

The School offers programmes in pharmacy, nursing, midwifery, public health, medical laboratory science, and other health science disciplines.

School of Medicine

The School offers undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including medicine and medical specialty programmes.

School of Law

The School of Law offers undergraduate education in Law.

Academic programmes

The university offers 116 academic programmes consisting of:

52 undergraduate programmes
58 master's programmes
6 doctoral (PhD) programmes

These programmes are delivered through 79 academic departments.

Undergraduate programmes

Madda Walabu University offers 52 undergraduate (bachelor's degree) programmes through its colleges and schools.

College/School	Undergraduate programmes
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources	Agricultural Economics Animal Science Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism Forestry Natural Resource Management Plant Science Rural Development and Agricultural Extension
College of Engineering	Architecture Civil Engineering Construction Technology and Management Electrical and Computer Engineering Engineering Drawing and Design^[a] Mechanical Engineering Survey Engineering Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering
College of Computing	Computer Science Information Science Information Systems Information Technology
College of Natural and Computational Sciences	Biology Chemistry Environmental Science Mathematics Physics Sport Science Statistics
College of Medicine and Health Sciences	Medicine Medical Laboratory Science Midwifery Nursing Pharmacy Public Health
College of Social Sciences and Humanities	Afaan Oromo and Literature Amharic Language and Literature Civics and Ethical Education English Language and Literature Geography and Environmental Studies Geographic Information Systems and Land Resource Management History and Heritage Management Journalism and Communication Sociology
College of Business and Management	Accounting and Finance Business Education^[b] Economics Hotel and Tourism Management Management Marketing Management
College of Education and Behavioural Studies	Early Childhood Care and Education Educational Planning and Management Lifelong Learning and Community Development Psychology
School of Law	Law

Postgraduate programmes

The University offers 64 postgraduate programmes, comprising 58 Master's degree programmes and 6 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes through its colleges.

College	Master's programmes	Doctoral programmes
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources	MSc in Animal Production MSc in Agronomy MSc in Plant Pathology MSc in Watershed Management MSc in Rural Development MSc in Ecosystem & Biodiversity Conservation MSc in Range Ecology and Biodiversity	—
College of Engineering	MSc in Mechanical Design MSc in Hydraulic Engineering MSc in Manufacturing System Engineering	—
College of Computing	MSc in Computer Science Data Science	—
College of Natural and Computational Sciences	MSc in Biology MSc in Botanical Science MSc in Applied Microbiology MSc in Chemistry MSc in Organic Chemistry MSc in Analytical Chemistry MSc in Mathematics (General) MSc in Mathematics (Specialization in Analysis, Differential Equation & Algebra) MSc in Optimization MSc in Physics (General) MSc in Sport Science MSc in Football Coaching MSc in Athletics Coaching MSc in Physics (Specialization in Quantum Optics, Solid State & Computational) MSc in Environmental Science (Speciality in Natural Management, Sanitation & Pollution, and Atmosphere Physics, Climate Change & Energy)	PhD in Applied Microbiology
College of Medicine and Health Sciences	MSc in Public Health Epidemiology MSc in General Public Health MSc in Maternity & Reproductive Health MSc in Reproductive Public Health MSc in Medical Microbiology MHP in Health Service Management + GPH & SHC MSc in Adult Health Nursing MPH in Public Health Nutrition Specialty in Gynecology & Obstetrics Specialty in Surgery	PhD in Public Health
College of Social Sciences and Humanities	MA in Applied Linguistics in Teaching Amharic (ALTA) MA in Geography & Environmental Studies MA in Climate Change & Risk Management MA in Urban Planning & Management MA in Civics & Ethical Education MA in Afan Oromo & Literature MA in Governance & Development Studies MA in History & Heritage Studies MA in Linguistics & Cultural Studies MA in TEAFL MSc in GIS & Land Use Planning & Management	PhD in English Language Teaching PhD in Geography & Environmental Studies
College of Business and Management	MA in Developmental Economics MA in Business Administration MSc in Accounting & Finance MA in Marketing Management MBA in Tourism Hospitality & Management	PhD in Accounting & Finance
College of Education and Behavioural Studies	Educational Planning & Management Curriculum & Teachers' Professional Development Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Adult Education and Community Development	PhD in Curriculum Design and Development

Research

The university has identified agriculture, tourism, biodiversity, and health as its principal areas of excellence. Through multidisciplinary research, technology transfer, innovation, and community engagement, it supports regional and national development initiatives.

External Links

Notes

↑ Offered through the summer programme.
↑ Offered through the summer programme.

References

↑ "About MWU". Archived from the original on 6 July 2015.
↑ "Madda Walabu University".
1 2 "Historical Background". Madda Walabu University.
↑ "A heroic send-off for Aliyi Cirri, a pioneer Oromo freedom fighter whose courage and bravery inspired generations". Opride. 17 November 2017.

[5] Offered through the summer programme.

[6] Offered through the summer programme.

[OI-1] "About MWU". Archived from the original on 6 July 2015.

[2] "Madda Walabu University".

[Historical_Background-3] 1 2 "Historical Background". Madda Walabu University.

[4] "A heroic send-off for Aliyi Cirri, a pioneer Oromo freedom fighter whose courage and bravery inspired generations". Opride. 17 November 2017.

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