-Inaugurates major Gondar university projects
ADDIS ABABA – President Taye Atske-Selassie inaugurated 22 major development projects at the University of Gondar and later led a high-level delegation to inspect key infrastructure projects in Bahir Dar city.
The University of Gondar unveiled projects worth over 4 billion Birr as part of its 70th anniversary and the centennial celebration of its teaching hospital. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior federal and state officials, including the House of Federation Speaker Agegnehu Teshager and Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh.
The newly inaugurated projects include a cancer radiation therapy center, a medical oxygen production plant, a prosthetics manufacturing facility, a pre-clinical laboratory, community schools, campus infrastructure supporting innovation and research, and digital transformation initiatives.
These initiatives are expected to bring substantial national and community benefits and reinforce the university’s ambition to become a leading African hub for research, education, and public service.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Taye hailed the university’s progress over the past 70 years, describing it as “a beacon of knowledge and healing,” and praised its contributions to producing renowned professionals and driving national development.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining academic quality and deepening community engagement to elevate Ethiopia’s standing globally.
The President also acknowledged the past decade as a period of notable transformation for the university, attributing its success to the collaborative spirit between its leadership and the Gondar community. He commended the strong sense of community ownership, calling it a model for national unity.
Following the Gondar visit, President Taye, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and Amhara Regional Chief Administrator Arega Kebede, traveled to Bahir Dar to review ongoing development efforts.
The delegation, which included top federal and state officials such as Social Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister Daniel Kibret and Minister of Mines Eng. Habtamu Tegegn, was warmly received upon arrival.
In Bahir Dar, the officials inspected key infrastructure projects, including a newly constructed bridge over the Abay River and the expansive Lake Tana corridor development project. The corridor initiative is part of a broader urban transformation plan aimed at enhancing accessibility and integrating Lake Tana more closely with the city in five strategic directions.
The new Abay River bridge, already easing traffic congestion, is seen as a major milestone in the city’s development and a boost to tourism and connectivity.
President Taye underscored the importance of aligning higher education development with urban infrastructure expansion, saying such synergy plays a vital role in advancing Ethiopia’s modernization and inclusive growth.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2025
