# Mekelle University

> public university in Ethiopia

**Wikidata**: [Q6810561](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6810561)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekelle_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mekelle-university

## Summary
Mekelle University is a public university located in Mekelle, Ethiopia, established in 1991. It serves as a key academic institution in the region, offering higher education and research opportunities, and is recognized for its contributions to climate-resilient food systems and community development.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1991 in Mekelle, Ethiopia.
- Public university with the motto "We Really Care."
- Member of the Consortium of Ethiopian Academic and Research Libraries (2023) and the Association of African Universities.
- Received funding from Open Society Foundations in 2016 for a climate resilience project (grant amount: 350,028 QAR).
- Coordinates: 13.48° N latitude, 39.485° E longitude.
- Official website: [www.mu.edu.et](http://www.mu.edu.et/).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Mekelle University founded?
A: Mekelle University was founded in 1991.

### Q: Where is Mekelle University located?
A: The university is based in Mekelle, Ethiopia, with headquarters coordinates at 13.4811° N, 39.4878° E.

### Q: What notable projects has Mekelle University undertaken?
A: The university received funding for "Capacity Building towards Climate-Resilient Food Systems in the Drylands of North and Northeastern Ethiopia" from Open Society Foundations in 2016.

## Why It Matters
Mekelle University plays a critical role in advancing education and research in Ethiopia, particularly in addressing regional challenges such as climate change and food security. As a public institution, it contributes to human resource development and community engagement in the Tigray region and beyond. Its partnerships with international organizations like the Open Society Foundations highlight its commitment to sustainable development and academic collaboration. The university’s focus on climate-resilient systems underscores its relevance in tackling pressing global issues at a local level, making it a vital hub for knowledge creation and application in Eastern Africa.

## Notable For
- First public university in the Tigray region, established in 1991.
- Recipient of a 350,028 QAR grant for climate resilience research in 2016.
- Member of regional and continental academic networks, including the Association of African Universities.
- Recognized for its community-focused motto, "We Really Care."
- Hosts research initiatives addressing dryland agriculture and environmental sustainability.

## Body
### Founding and History
Mekelle University was founded in 1991 in Mekelle, Ethiopia. It operates as a public academic institution and is headquartered at coordinates 13.4811° N, 39.4878° E. The university is officially linked to the city of Mekele (references: Q8447, Q328).

### Academic Focus and Research
The university received a grant of 350,028 QAR from Open Society Foundations in 2016 to support the project "Capacity Building towards Climate-Resilient Food Systems in the Drylands of North and Northeastern Ethiopia." This initiative aligns with its broader mission to address regional development challenges through research and education.

### Memberships and Accreditations
- **Consortium of Ethiopian Academic and Research Libraries (CEARL):** Member as of 2023 (reference: archived list from 2023-12-22).
- **Association of African Universities (AAU):** Recognized as a member institution (reference: 2022-12-15).

### Motto and Identity
The university’s motto, "We Really Care," reflects its commitment to community and academic excellence (source: unirank.org).

### Location and Accessibility
Mekelle University is situated at coordinates 13.48° N, 39.485° E. Its headquarters are in Mekele, Ethiopia, with geographic identifiers including a GeoNames ID (10378004) and a GRID ID (grid.30820.39).

### Funding and Support
Key funding includes the 2016 Open Society Foundations grant for climate resilience work. The university is also registered with an EU Participant Identification Code (993748026) and a VAT number (ET0000998566).

### Online Presence
The official website is [www.mu.edu.et](http://www.mu.edu.et/), and it maintains a presence on social media and academic platforms, including a Quora topic and a Wikimedia Commons category.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.unirank.org/et/uni/mekelle-university/)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231222103848/https://www.eifl.net/sites/default/files/resources/CountryMemebers/list_of_member_of_cearl.pdf)
4. [Source](https://www.eifl.net/country/ethiopia)
5. [Source](https://www.aau.org/subs/membership/)
6. GRID Release 2015-12-14
7. GRID Release 2016-12-06
8. [Open Funder Registry](http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100009402)
9. Quora
10. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
11. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
12. HAL
13. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2016-30576)