Dear Graduates of 2017/2025,

Warmest Congratulations!

It is with great pride, joy, and a deep sense of gratitude that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our graduating students on this momentous occasion. Today marks the successful completion of a transformative academic journey one filled with challenges, discoveries, growth, and triumphs.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to your families, friends, and loved ones. Your journey would not have been possible without their unwavering support, encouragement, and sacrifice. They stood by you in times of challenge and triumph, and today, they share in your success.

Dear graduates: you have shown remarkable resilience, unwavering commitment, and exceptional hard work to arrive at this defining moment. Your perseverance through the demands of academic life, your adaptability in the face of adversity, and your drive to succeed reflect the strength of character and excellence that Wollega University strives to cultivate.

This graduation is especially meaningful as it comes during a new chapter in our institution’s history. As many of you know, Wollega University was differentiated as an Applied Science University. This change is more than just a label it is a bold step toward our future. Here after, our focus will be sharpened: to produce practical, innovation-driven graduates who can apply science and technology to solve real-world problems and improve lives across our communities and beyond. To that end, I encourage you, dear graduates, to be more than degree holders. Be creators of solutions, agents of change, and ambassadors of integrity and innovation. Let your education serve a higher purpose. Seek not only personal success, but societal contribution. Continue to learn, to question, to build and above all, to serve.

To our academic and administrative staff: I extend the university’s sincere appreciation for your dedication, mentorship, and tireless support throughout this academic year. Your contributions often unseen but deeply impactful have shaped the graduates we celebrate today. You have played a critical role in advancing the mission of this university, and we thank you for your continued service and commitment.

As we look toward the future, we envision Wollega University transforming into a vibrant, dynamic academic environment a center of excellence, relevance, and innovation. This vision, however, requires the collective effort of all of us. Progress demands collaboration, not competition; responsibility, not blame.

To all staff and stakeholders: let us embrace a culture where we focus on solutions, not problems. Let us commit ourselves to continuous improvement, open dialogue, and shared accountability. Our growth as a university will not be achieved by pointing fingers or retreating into silos, but by standing together with a shared purpose to uplift this institution and the generations it serves.

Finally, I leave you all students, staff, and community partners with this thought: the future of Wollega University depends not only on leadership at the top but on the everyday leadership we show in our roles, our relationships, and our responsibilities. Let us each be part of that future.

Once again, congratulations to the graduating Class of 2025. We are proud of you. Go forward with courage, curiosity, and commitment.

With deepest respect and warm wishes,

Tesfaye Lemma (Associate Professor)
President
Wollega University

June 2025

Under constraction

Dr. Tesfaye Lemma, recently appointed as President of Wallaga University, is a distinguished academic and development professional with over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, community engagement, and academic leadership. Born and raised in Wollega, Dr. Tesfaye completed his early education in Gulisso, Gimbi, and Dambi Dollo, and went on to earn a BSc in Agricultural Economics from Haramaya University, an MSc in Agricultural Extension from the University of Reading (UK), a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Policy and Project Planning from the Institute of Social Studies (Netherlands), and a PhD in Rural Development from the University of Pretoria (South Africa).

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Tesfaye served as Associate Professor of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension at Haramaya University and held several leadership roles, including Research Vice President, Head of Outreach Programs, and Director of various research initiatives. He was instrumental in establishing the Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation (ACE Climate SABC), securing a $6 million World Bank grant, and coordinating the Pan-African PASET-RSIF PhD scholarship program.

His research and leadership have focused on agricultural extension, innovation systems, climate change adaptation, market-oriented agriculture, and livelihood diversification. He has published over 50 works, including 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, and has worked with international research institutions such as ILRI and IFPRI. He also served as a national advisor on agricultural extension reform under the Ethiopian Economic Association and Agricultural Transformation Institute.

Dr. Tesfaye’s career reflects a strong commitment to rural development, capacity building, and policy analysis. He is married and the proud father of two daughters, Sena and Nahimi."

Dear Members of Wollega University Community and Esteemed national and international Partners,

It is with great pride and a profound sense of responsibility that I extend my message to you as the current head of the institution. Wollega University (WU) is one of the public higher learning institutions in Ethiopia located in the Oromia Region in the western part of Ethiopia. The University was established 17 years ago with three campuses located in Gimbi, Nekemte, and Shambu, and a specialized comprehensive teaching hospital. WU is located in a resourceful and strategically important area of Ethiopia. The area is known for its huge yet untapped potential for agriculture, mineral resource, nature-based as well as manmade tourism, indigenous institutions, and for its geopolitical importance including for its proximity to the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD). The latter would contribute towards facilitating economic integration in the Horn of Africa and beyond.    

 WU has been differentiated by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education as an Applied Sciences University. Accordingly, WU is strives to stand as a distinguished institution of applied sciences, committed to excellence in teaching, research, and community services. With a wide array of colleges, institutes, and schools, we endeavor to meet the evolving needs of our society and contribute meaningfully to national and global development. In recognition of local and national resource endowments, comparative and competitive advantages, strategic national development priorities and emerging global challenges, the University has identified Agriculture and Agro-processing, Health, Mining, and Manufacturing as its key focus areas for excellence.

Applied sciences universities are expected to play a special role in the endeavor for achieving sustainable socio-economic development at local, national, and global levels. Our ambition is to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also skilled, adaptable, creative and innovative, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of local community, industry, national economy, and humanity at large.  Teaching and learning are anticipated to be grounded in relevance and learning-by-doing. Our academic programs are designed to respond to the demands of the labor market while also addressing emerging opportunities and challenges at national and global levels.  Through hands-on training, industry linkages, and applied research projects, we ensure that our students graduate with the skills, mindset, and confidence required to excel in diverse fields and entrepreneurial activities. We continuously review and update our curricula to keep pace with the dynamic needs of society and the global economy. We are working on human resource development to ensure that our colleges and institutes have adequate number competent and dedicated scholars and professionals who bring academic rigor, practical experience, and a deep sense of service to their work.

Equally central to our mission is our focus on theme-based, applied and problem-solving research and innovation activities.  Faculty members and postgraduate students at WU would engage in theme-based research and innovation projects that tackle critical challenges. We aim to build a vibrant research and innovation culture that is locally grounded, globally informed, and solution oriented. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthening partnership with industry, and international institutions, we ensure our research remains relevant, impactful, and transformative.

Moreover, community engagement is another cornerstone of our identity. As a public university, we recognize our responsibility to work hand-in-hand with the communities we serve. We aspire to provide transformative community services. Our outreach activities are designed to promote the application of research-based knowledge, build capacity, and promote inclusive development. We support a wide range of outreach programs including, agricultural development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, entrepreneurship, gender and youth empowerment, legal aid, education quality improvement, and local governance support. Our engagement efforts are grounded in mutual respect, shared learning, and sustainable impact.  

To support our mission, significant efforts are being made to expand and modernize our infrastructure. New facilities are under construction, and existing structures are undergoing renovation to create a conducive and inspiring environment. These developments are a testament to our unwavering commitment to educational quality and institutional growth.

An essential element of our continued growth lies in cultivating a strong, responsible institutional culture. Every member of Wollega University must embrace a sense of ownership, viewing the University as a shared home the advancement of which calls for collective action. It is the duty of each one of us to work diligently, ethically, and collaboratively to elevate the standing and strengthen the impact of our institution.

To our students, who represent the future of experts, leadership and innovation: we encourage you to see yourselves as the successors who will carry this institution forward. Your commitment to hard work, continuous learning, and skills development is essential not only for your personal success but also for the advancement of Wollega University and the nation at large.

In this spirit of global vision and mutual interests, we extend a warm invitation to potential  international partners universities, research institutions, development agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to collaborate with us in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. Whether through joint research, faculty and student exchanges, capacity-building initiatives, or technology transfer, we welcome partnerships that are based on mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to meaningful impact. In this regard, we have established an Office of Internationalization to foster partnerships with global institutions, promoting collaboration, academic mobility, and international engagement.

 Generally, in all our endeavors, our ultimate goal should be to make our University a vibrant, dynamic institution where talent flourishes, innovation thrives and everyone aspires to belong. Together, through perseverance, collaboration, and vision, we will build a university that not only meets the needs of today but shapes the promise of tomorrow.

Thank you.

Tesfaye Lemma (Associate Professor)

Wollega University President

WHO IS Dr.TESFAYE LEMMA?

Message of the President regarding 20th round Students' Graduation Ceremony of Wollega University.