President’s Welcoming Address

Dear students,

We have begun the new academic year with many plans and aspirations. For those of you who are returning students, I have had the opportunity to meet with many of you and to explain what we have planned to accomplish at AAU for the current academic year. To new students who will be joining our community this academic year, on behalf of the entire AAU family, I would like to say “Welcome” to your new home.

AAU is a preeminent institution of higher learning in the nation and its prestige and standing is unparalleled.  Nevertheless, there is a lot to be done to improve the teaching-learning process as well as various services to make the university live up to its name and reputation.

The AAU has been under new management for just over six months now. In the short period that I and my colleagues have taken office, we have been implementing major reforms. From dormitories, and cafeterias all the way to classrooms and campus grounds, many activities are underway to make our university a model institution for our country.

However, our community will only be as good as its members make it. As such, much is expected from our students by way of supporting our efforts. For instance, we expect our students to be present in class on the first day of class so that the academic calendar can be observed and the lectures/laboratories will be delivered in full. This year, we have taken up the dictum “Day One, Class One” as a mantra to echo our resolve in this matter.

I also encourage you to be active participants in the university community. For starters, you can participate in the Student Councils/Student Union to represent the interest of students at various levels of the university management. You may also wish to join one of our many student activity clubs to further enrich your campus life as well as acquire many soft skills that you would not normally get from classroom instruction. The opportunities are nearly limitless in terms of volunteering for various events and activities that the university undertakes or sponsors … the only limit will be your willingness to serve our community.

As you know, our university is a reflection of the tapestry of many faiths, ethnicities and languages of Ethiopia. We also have a significant number of non-Ethiopian students on our campuses. We are proud of the diversity of our community and we think that it is an essential input to our success in generating, not only educated, but also all-rounded citizens for our country’s efforts to register significant economic progress.

I encourage that you take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about languages, cultures, customs or faiths other than your own.  The fellow students you meet here, at AAU, will be lifelong friends or persons who will have great influence on your thinking and outlook. Your stay at AAU is a once in a lifetime experience, make the best of it.

I wish you all the best and a successful academic year.

Admassu Tsegaye (PhD)

President