Bahir Dar University | Bahir Dar University

Wisdom at the source of Blue Nile

Bahir Dar University was established by merging two former higher education institutions, namely the Bahir Dar Polytechnic and Bahir Dar Teachers’ College. The Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute, which has transformed itself into Technology and Textile institutes, was established in 1963 under the technical cooperation between the Government of USSR and the Imperial Government of Ethiopia. The institute was a premier institute in producing technicians for the nation. The Bahir Dar Teachers’ College, by then known as the Academy of Pedagogy, was established in 1972 by the tripartite agreement of the Imperial Government of Ethiopia, UNESCO and UNDP and started actual work in the following year under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Fine Arts. Its general objective was to train multipurpose primary education professionals capable of adopting primary education to rural life and rural development. Its specific objectives were to train primary school teacher trainers, supervisors, educational leaders, adult education organizers and community development agents.

The two institutions of higher learning were integrated to form the Bahir Dar University following the Council of Ministers regulation no. 60/1999 GC. The University was inaugurated on May 6, 2000. Bahir Dar University is currently among the largest universities in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, enrolling more than 25,970 students in its 452 academic programs; 113 undergraduate, 187 masters, and 115 PhD programs. Bahir Dar University comprises five colleges, five institutes, two faculties, three school and three academies, bringing the total number of academic units to 18. The academic units of the University include College of Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Institute of Land Administration, Institute of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Studies, Blue Nile Water Institute (BNWI), Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Law, School of earth Science, School of Educational Science, School of Teacher Education, Sport Academy and Maritime Academy. Bahir Dar University is home to 12 research centers dedicated to advancing knowledge, innovation and community engagement. Centers of Excellence and the research centers of the university are Mecha Health & Demographic Surveillance System, Washera Geospace & Radar Science RL (WaGRL), Blue Economy Center of Excellence, Food & Nutrition Research Center, Diplomacy & Foreign Policy Research Center, Abbay Institute of Language & Culture Studies, Geospatial Data & Technology Center (GDTC), Bahir Dar Energy Center, Sine-Hosaena Center, ICT4D Research Center, Blue Nile Water Institute and Institute of Pedagogical & Educational Research (IPER).

Generating knowledge

Experts across nine campuses will expand understanding of the natural world and its intersections with human society.

Bridging fields

Interdisciplinary institutes will bring together versatile teams to tackle critical challenges in energy, the environment, and sustainable societies

Driving impact

A new Sustainability Accelerator will draw expertise from across and beyond the university to co-create and scale solutions.

Student Life

A residential campus with diverse housing, dining, health care and over 600 student organizations

Education Services

By using the newly designed administrative structure of the university as a good opportunity, dean of the students' affair is providing services for the successful achievement of Bahir Dar University shared vision of being one of the Top Ten Research Institution among African Universities and producing highly skilled manpower.

University Virtual Tour

Bahir Dar University, Wisdom at the source of Blue Nile

Bahir Dar University (BDU) is founded on two proud institutions, namely Polytechnic Institute and Pedagogy Academy. Consequently, BDU has deservedly been chosen as Centre of Excellence for Teacher Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy.
The University is privileged to be located at the source of the Blue Nile and shore of Lake Tana, UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve – natural laboratories no other University in the world has and collaboration opportunities for global impact.

- Dr. Mengesha Ayene Ejigu (PhD)

President