Haramaya University Graduates 3,320, Eyes Autonomy and Diamond Jubilee
Haramaya University Celebrates Graduation of 3,320 Students, Emphasizing Digital Innovation, Research, and the Transition to Autonomy Ahead of Its 75th Anniversary
On June 27, 2026, Haramaya University held its 71st graduation ceremony at Afran Kello Hall, officially conferring degrees to 3,320 students across various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The event highlighted the university’s commitment to digital innovation, research, and its preparations for the upcoming 75th anniversary.
University leaders announced that they are actively working on plans to celebrate the institution’s 75th anniversary next year. This celebration aligns with the university’s efforts to meet the requirements for achieving full autonomy.
The 2026 graduating class reflects the university’s diverse academic reach, comprising 72 PhD holders, 572 Master’s graduates, 63 medical specialists, and 174 diploma recipients, including 157 Higher Diploma and 17 Postgraduate Diploma recipients. The undergraduate cohort included 2,439 Bachelor’s degree recipients, with female graduates constituting 717, or 21.6 percent of the total.
Commending the academic achievements of the class, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Mengistu Urgie, announced that 93.28 percent of the graduates successfully passed the national exit examination. And he urged the new graduates to adopt a mindset of lifelong learning, emphasizing that graduation should not be seen as the end of their academic journey.
Haramaya University’s Administrative Board Deputy Chairperson, Professor Emana Getu, encouraged the graduates to take advantage of the Ethiopian government’s strategic focus on the digital economy. He stressed the importance of breaking away from a conventional employee mindset, cultivating entrepreneurial alternatives, and leveraging modern technology to drive job creation and innovative opportunities for themselves and others.
Professor Emana highlighted the significant responsibility that graduates have to promote national peace, uphold the rule of law, and foster a democratic culture. He emphasized that knowledge alone is not enough; it must be complemented by wisdom and strong moral character. He encouraged the graduates to respect human dignity, serve their communities with humility, stand firmly for justice and truth, and remain competitive in today’s global market. “Work hard, serve your country with dedication, and become worthy ambassadors of Haramaya University,” he urged the graduates.
In his speech, Haramaya University President Dr. Jemal Yousuf underscored the institution’s indispensable role in advancing Ethiopia’s prosperity by providing highly educated human capital across all critical socio-economic sectors. He noted that, since its establishment in 1954, Haramaya University has produced a total of 132,718 qualified professionals, including 105,452 men and 27,266 women.
Dr. Jemal highlighted the university’s commitment to maintaining high educational quality while identifying key strategic fields for problem-solving research and strengthening partnerships with various international institutions to enhance its research capacity. Moreover, the university has implemented extensive community outreach initiatives to improve public access to healthcare and legal services.
He challenged the graduates to apply their knowledge, professional skills, and ethical values to accelerate national development, reminding them of their responsibility to be job creators and to leave a transformative legacy for future generations. In response, members of the graduating class expressed their collective readiness and dedication to apply their expertise to serve their country with integrity.
The ceremony brought together graduates, parents, alumni, senior government officials, and representatives from partner universities in neighbouring Somaliland, including the Presidents of Edna Aden and Amoud University. It also marked the reunion of the university’s graduating class of 1986 after four decades.
Haramaya University Public and International Relations
Tags: 75th anniversary, academic news, Diamond Jubilee, digital innovation, Ethiopia, Graduation, graduation ceremony, Haramaya University, higher education, Research, university autonomy
