Aksum University

Prof. Gebreyesus Brhane Tesfahunegn

Current AKU President

President Term: 11 September 2020 – Present

Professor Gebreyesus Brhane Tesfahunegn currently leads Aksum University as its President. He earned his PhD in Soil and Water Management from the University of Bonn, Germany, in October 2011. His extensive international experience includes numerous short-term courses and knowledge-sharing events in countries such as Germany, USA, Japan, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana.

Before joining Aksum University, Professor Gebreyesus served as a Researcher at the Tigray Agricultural Research Institute in Ethiopia from August 2000 to March 2007. He began his tenure at Aksum University on March 14, 2007, progressing from a Lecturer to a Full Professor.

His leadership journey began with roles such as Head of Agronomy and Physiology Division at Mekelle Agricultural Research Center, Center Manager of Humera Agricultural Research Center, and Head of the Department of Natural Resources Management at Tigray Agricultural Research Institute. At Aksum University, he has held diverse positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Rural Development, Coordinator of the USAID-supported “International Sorghum/Millet Research Program” Project, Director of the School of Graduate Studies, and Dean of the College of Agriculture (October 2017 to September 10, 2020), culminating in his presidency from September 11, 2020, to the present.

Professor Gebreyesus’s international research and community engagement exposure is significant. He was a Research Fellow in Land and Water Resources at the United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) from August 2016 to July 2017. He also served as a Visiting Professor for CABI-OFRA (August to October 2015), a home-based consultant on Crop Nutrient Response Function for CABI-OFRA (February-March 2016), and a Visiting Scientist at Nebraska University (USA) from September to November 2005. His involvement extends to various research and community service projects funded by Aksum University and VHL University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands).

His impressive publication record includes 38 articles and 6 book chapters/books, with Professor Tesfahunegn as the principal author of 34 of these published papers. He has also contributed 4 research papers to proceedings and presented approximately 29 research outputs at various forums and conferences. Furthermore, he has supervised 23 master’s theses/seminars and served as an examiner for 45 master’s and PhD theses from higher education institutions in Ethiopia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He is an invited reviewer for over 23 international and national journals and more than 26 project proposals. Within his department, he played a crucial role in launching two PhD programs and four master’s programs. Beyond his advisory roles, he has taught numerous courses for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in his areas of expertise.

His research interests primarily focus on climate-smart watershed management, soil quality and erosion, soil fertility, and land restoration. Professor Tesfahunegn’s dedication and substantial contributions to research, community engagement, teaching, and his extensive international experience have established him as a prominent figure in his academic and leadership fields.

Key Contributions:

• Prolific Researcher: Authored 38 articles and 6 book chapters/books, with 34 as principal author.
• Academic Program Development: Instrumental in launching 2 PhD and 4 Master’s programs.
• International Collaboration: Awarded Research Fellow at UNU-INRA, Visiting Professor/Scientist in multiple countries.
• Environmental Focus: Expertise in climate-smart watershed management, soil quality, and land restoration.
• Mentorship & Review: Supervised 23 Master’s theses/seminars and reviewed over 23 international journals and 26 project proposals.

Dr. Tsehaye Asmelash

President Term: September 2015 – 2016

Dr. Tsehaye Asmelash served as the President of Aksum University for a significant period. He is an accomplished Associate Professor in Microbiology (medical and environmental), holding BSc and MSc degrees in Biology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, and a PhD (DSc) in Biology from Ghent University, Belgium.

Prior to his presidency, and continuing his work afterwards, Dr. Asmelash has been extensively engaged in teaching, research, and community services at Mekelle University. His academic background includes significant leadership positions, such as founding dean of the College of Health Sciences at Mekelle University and Vice President for Research and Community Engagement. His research primarily focuses on medical and environmental microbiology, with a strong publication record of over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

During his administrative duties as president of Aksum University, Dr. Asmelash addressed significant challenges, including a violent incident at the university in June 2019 (note: this date seems to be a general reference from one source, his presidency ended in 2016, so the incident might be referring to a later period or a different context of his involvement), where he emphasized the need for security intervention and investigation.

Key Contributions:

• Microbiology Expert: Extensive research and publications in medical and environmental microbiology (60+ articles).
• Academic Leadership: Founding Dean of College of Health Sciences and Vice President for Research and Community Engagement at Mekelle University.
• Public Health Research: Contributed to studies on infectious diseases, tuberculosis, and public health challenges in Ethiopia.
• University Administration: Managed critical administrative issues during his presidency.

Dr. Mebrahtom Mesfin

President Term: 2007–2015

Dr. Mebrahtom Mesfin served as President of Aksum University, significantly advancing its academic and research endeavors. He is a plant breeder by profession, holding a PhD. Prior to his presidency at Aksum University, he was an academic staff member and Dean of Post Graduate Studies at Mekelle University.

During his tenure, Dr. Mesfin actively supported various faculty and student research projects, providing essential laboratory facilities and resources for investigations across diverse fields like environmental issues, public health, and archaeology. His leadership also extended to fostering global academic collaboration, demonstrated through his participation in UNESCO meetings and efforts to build sustainable U.S.-Ethiopian university partnerships, including collaborations on archaeological expeditions with international teams. His tenure was marked by a strong commitment to enhancing the university’s research capacity and its engagement with both local and international academic communities.

Beyond his role at Aksum University, Dr. Mesfin has also served as the Center Director of Mekelle Biodiversity (now Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Mekelle Center).

Key Contributions:

• Research Infrastructure Development: Actively supported and resourced laboratory facilities for diverse research projects.
• International Collaboration: Fostered partnerships, including participation in UNESCO meetings and U.S.-Ethiopian university collaborations.
• Archaeological Support: Supported international archaeological expeditions.
• Biodiversity Expertise: Served as Center Director of Mekelle Biodiversity, indicating a focus on plant genetics and environmental conservation.