About SMIE

 

The College of Engineering, then called Imperial College of Engineering under the Ministry of Education, was established in 1953 as a two-year course of pre-engineering education, and graduates were subsequently sent abroad for further training.  Two years later, a four-year program was introduced in Civil and Industrial Engineering, and B.Sc degrees were first awarded by His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellassie I in July of 1958.

In 1959, the College was expanded to include instructions in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in lieu of Industrial Engineering and the undergraduate program was extended to cover five years.  The first mechanical engineers graduated from the then University College of Addis Ababa in 1963.

In late 1970’s, the decade when the change from Haile Sellassie I University to Addis Ababa University took place, the programs of study in engineering were cut down to four years for a few years.  It was later restored to the original five year program.

Statistical data of Addis Ababa University shows that the total number of mechanical engineers that graduated from the University with B.Sc. degree during the period 1963 – 2000 is 1201.

As of recent years, stakeholders and employers have expressed concerns that the graduates of the Department lack practical and innovative skills. This lack has been coupled by deficiency in communication and managerial skills of the graduates. It is believed that this new revised programme has incorporated the necessary changes that will address the issues raised by stakeholders and employers.