Assosa University in Birds Eye View Background
Assosa University (ASU) is one of the third-generation public universities in Ethiopia. It was established in May 2011 by the Council of Ministers decree number 215/2011. The cornerstone was laid on May 4, 2009.
ASU aims to produce highly qualified and dedicated Citizens, conduct research, and provide community service. It also engages in various developmental activities to achieve the country’s Growth and Transformation Plan.
The University is located in Assosa, the capital of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. The town is a strategic place for numerous social, political, and economic activities. It is 660 kilometres from Addis Ababa, 210 kilometres south of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam/GERD/, and 96 km East of the Ethio-Sudanese border.
The University officially embarked on its service in June 2011. The University began the teaching-learning program at Assosa Agricultural College and taught for two years there. Since 2013, the University has moved to its own main campus, which the Assosa Town Administration granted. The academic wing was launched with 100 Teachers and five faculties, consisting of 17 undergraduate fields of study.
The University started teaching-learning with 1043 students in the regular program in December 2011. The university’s intake capacity grows periodically. Up to the 2019 academic year, 8153 students graduated.
2011 E.C Graduation
Opportunities
Benishangul-Gumz Region is one of the nine regional states in Ethiopia bordered by the Amhara region in the north and northeast, the Oromia region in the east, the Gambella region in the south and Sudan & South Sudan in the west. Blue Nile River divides the Region into two parts: Metekel zone in the northern & Assosa &Kamashi zones in the southern parts. It has an area of 50380 km2 and an elevation ranging from 500 meters at the Blue Nile riverbed crossing the Ethio-Sudanese border to 2731 meters ASL at the Belaya plateau.
The Region has rich, untapped natural resources, the most significant ones so far known being gold and marble. Recent explorations have identified it as one of Ethiopia’s most crucial gold ore reserves. Traditional gold mining is/ alluvial gold mining that is widely practised among Indigenous communities. Nowadays, it has made a significant contribution to the country’s exports. About half a million hectares of land Bamboo is found in the Region, which amounts to 50% of Ethiopia’s lowland bamboo forest. The Region is also known for Mango fruit, Gum, & Incense. The Blue Nile (Abay) river reaches its maximum flow in this Region as it is joined by its tributaries, Dedesa, Anger, Dindir, Dabus and Beles, thereby crossing vast areas of plane land suitable for irrigation. Moreover, the Region is home to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Owing to this development potential, the Region is expected to be one of the main growth corridors in Northwestern Ethiopia. Assosa University also has a role in making this prediction a reality.
Partnership
Even though ASU is a young university, it is keen on collaborating with other institutions for mutual benefits. The university has signed several partnership agreements with Bahir Dar University, Gilgel Beles College of Teachers Education, Tana Beles Integrated Sugar factory, and regional and Zonal Sectorial Offices. It has partnered with Blue Nile University in Blue Nile State and Xidian University in the Republic of China. The agreements have focused on the mutual benefits of the two parties
University Presidents Since inauguration of the university
Dr. Tamiru Hirpa, the Founder President(2004 to 2005 E.C)
Dr. Amsalu Bedimo (May, 2005 to July, 2010 E.C)
Dr. Haimanot Disassa, Acting President (July, 2010 E.C – July 14, 2011E.C
Dr. Kemal AbdurahimAhmed (since July 15, 2011 onwards)
About Benishangul Gumuz Region
The region was established in 1994 as one of the nine regional states of Ethiopia. Geographically, it is located between 090 07’N-120 06’N and 34010’E- 370 04’E with the total area of 503,080 square kilometer. In terms of relative location, the region is located in the Western and North Western part of the country; bordering on the West by North Sudan, on the North and North East by the Amhara Region, on the South and South East by Oromia Region and on South West by Gambela Region.
The Region Administrative Structure is divided in to 3 Zones, 19 Woredas, one Special Woreda and 3 City Administration. In the region, there are a tremendous Natural and Manmade heritages or tourist attraction areas such as historical places, funeral places, palaces, inscription on the stones and mosques. Capital City of the region is known as Assosa, which is 670k.m far from Addis Ababa.
When we see the landscape of the region is very attractive; there are many beautiful mountains like: Belaya, Gesengesa, Jaloleka, Shimolo,Kudaguna and Fametsere.Likewise, there are biggest rivers in the region such as Abay, Dabus,Dedesa and Roha rivers. These rivers have a potential for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
There are also different minerals like, Gold and Marble. On the other hand, Incense tree and Bamboo tree are indigenous .The region is found 580 k.m above sea level and 2,730 m below sea level and there are different agrological zone; Kola, WoyinaDega and Dega climate. Annual temperature of the region is in between 14 oc lower and 35 oc higher
