Mekelle University

Mekelle University College was established in 1993 as the Arid Zone Agricultural College, which found a permanent home in Mekelle (መቐለ) after a series of re-locations. During the former regime, the college was originally scheduled to be located near Selek Leka, in northwestern Tigray. However, it was first established at the University of Asmara as a faculty, but was then moved to Agarfa in southern Ethiopia, when the Derg displaced Asmara University in 1990 due to the political instability at the time. A year later, in 1991, Asmara University returned to Asmara and the Arid Zone Agricultural Faculty moved temporarily to Alamaya University. In 1993, the Arid Zone Agricultural College was again relocated, this time to Mekelle, as the College of Dry-land Agriculture and Natural Resources Management. The college was permanently settled at the Endayesus Campus, which had been a military barrack since the time of Emperor Menelik. The Arid Zone Agricultural College started with three degree programs in 1993 with 42 students. After two years, the Faculty of Science and Technology was established at the same campus and, together, these two faculties were then upgraded to Mekelle University College. The Law Faculty, side by side, started its operation by accepting diploma students in the continuing education program.