Historical Background of the University

Wollega University (WU) is a public higher educational institution established in February 2007 by enrolling 851 students in 17 departments under four Faculties: Business and Economics, Education, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. At the time, the University had 140 academic staff, and about 123 administrative support staff.  The Wollega University is located on the verge of Nekemte town, which is 310 km away from Addis Ababa westwards, with beautiful scenery of landscape and spectacular view of Mount Komto. It is situated on an area of 150 hectares.

The University also runs two campuses namely Gimbi and Shambu other than Nekemte Campu. Gimbi campus is located at Gimbi town, which is 110 km west of Nekemte. The Campus was opened in January 2009.  Shambu Campus was opened at Shambu town in 2010, which is located 330 km West of Addis Ababa.  The campus is located on an altitude of 1000-3300 metres above sea level, with a minimum and maximum rainfall of 800 mm-2200 mm, respectively. The topography is undulating with Savannah type of vegetation. 

The University, though young for its age, has made remarkable and multifarious progress in training, research, and services provision since its establishment. As a result of the opening of additional fields of study like Faculty of Technology, College of Agriculture and Rural Development, College of Health Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine, the number of programs has alarmingly grown to 54.

Wollega University, therefore, is making a valuable contribution to the overall development of the country by producing high-level professionals, conducting problem-solving research and providing services to the surrounding communities, working in partnership with all stakeholders.

At present, Wollega University runs 82 undergraduate, 45 graduate programs and 5 PhD programs in the three campuses. WU is an innovative institution and a pioneer University to implement continuous assessment, student-centered approach and active learning in the teaching-learning area to transform the traditional methods of teaching. Today, WU is a comprehensive University engaged in the provision of all-rounded education, research and community services.