Dr. Mengesha Ayene Ejigu is the President of Bahir Dar University, one of Ethiopia’s leading research universities committed to excellence in teaching, innovation, and societal impact. Before assuming this position in June 2024, he served as President of Wollo University from 2021 to 2024 and previously as its Vice President for Academic Affairs. 
A physicist and higher education leader by training, Dr. Mengesha is an Associate Professor of Physics and Physics Education. He earned his Ph.D. in Quantum Physics Education through a joint program involving the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the University of South Africa, and Bahir Dar University. He also holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Physics Education from Bahir Dar University. 
Throughout his academic and leadership career, Dr. Mengesha has championed quality education, institutional transformation, and the integration of research and innovation into university systems. His scholarly works and international collaborations—with institutions such as Texas Tech University, the University of Gothenburg, and the University of South Africa—reflect his dedication to advancing science education and capacity development. 
Dr. Mengesha has been instrumental in promoting STEM education nationally, serving as Chair of the E-STEM Education Council and the Dessie Branch of the Ethiopian Space Science Society. His leadership is marked by a strong commitment to empowering universities as engines of national development, regional cooperation, and sustainable peace. 
Today, he continues to guide Bahir Dar University’s vision to become a globally engaged, research-intensive institution that contributes meaningfully to Africa’s development and transformation.