ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Catholic University Celebrates Historic Graduation and Milestone Foundation
Habtamu Abrdew Beture
The Ethiopian Catholic University (ECUSTA) marked a significant milestone on January 10, 2026, celebrating the graduation of the Class of 2025 at its main campus in Lebu.
The ceremony was highlighted by the graduation of 33 Medical Science students, the first cohort of medical professionals to complete their studies at the institution. In total, the university conferred degrees upon 55 graduates, including specialists in Laboratory Technology and Social Work.
The graduation was attended by a distinguished assembly of religious and academic leaders, underscoring the event’s significance for the Catholic Church and the Ethiopian education sector. Key figures included His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Catholic Archbishop and Chancellor of the University; His Eminence Cardinal Silvano Tomasi, former Vatican Ambassador to Ethiopia; Monsignor Massimo Caterin, representative of the Holy See; and Brother Kasu Fantaye, President of the University.
The ceremony also featured various Bishops from the Jimma Bonga, Hosanna, Emdibir, and Sodo dioceses, as well as Abba Ketema Asfaw, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Chairman of the University Board.
ECUSTA, established by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia and managed by the De Salle Brothers, operates under the guiding motto
“Teaching the Minds, Touching the Hearts, and Transforming Lives.”
The university prides itself on producing citizens who are not only technically proficient but also deeply committed to social responsibility. As a member of the global association of La Sallian universities, it continues to focus on holistic human development.
