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. The university's main campus is situated approximately 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 six 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 southwest of Robe in southeastern Ethiopia. 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.
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
The school's motto is 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 location 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 Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering, Construction Technology and Management, Architectural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, 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 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 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 six 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
Official Telegram channel Official X (formerly Twitter) account
Notes
References