Bahir Dar University Maritime Academy Graduates 27 Female Sailors for the First Time

February 25, 2026, BDU

The Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute (EMTI), Bahir Dar University held a graduation ceremony of 224 Electro Technical Officers (ETO 26) who are from 33 universities around the country and 3 beyond on the 25th of February 2026. The graduates trained in electrical, electronic and control engineering, maintenance and repair, ship operation control and care for people on board, instrumentation & Automation at the operational level.

The graduation is special as the institute graduated 27 Female Sailors for the First Time in its history at BDU.

Mr. Zelalem Teferi, Head of Training and Human Resource Services at the Ethiopian Maritime Training Academy, remarks that among today’s 26th-round graduates, the 27 women represent a historic milestone for the institution. He noted that after graduation, these students will be deployed on international commercial ships, further enriching them with practical knowledge and skills. He added the employment opportunity benefits not onlt the mariners and their families but it can also be a hard currency source for the country.

Speaking on the recruitment process, Mr. Zelalem explained that the female students joined the program after being briefed on the potential challenges and opportunities of working at sea. He said that they passed the recruitment criteria and exams, completing six months of both practical and theoretical training to reach graduation.

Currently, partner commercial shipping companies are expected to prioritize these female graduates, potentially facilitating their employment even sooner than their male counterparts. Mr. Zelalem added that if these graduates perform well, they will serve as ambassadors for those who follow. To ensure their success, experienced sailors shared their insights during the recruitment process to build the cadets' psychological readiness.

It was emphasized that by utilizing the knowledge and skills gained during their studies, these trainees will become a significant asset in making Ethiopia competitive in the global maritime transport sector.