Faculty of Meteorology and Hydrology

Background

The Faculty of Meteorology and Hydrology operates within the Arba Minch Water Technology Institute (AWTI) at Arba Minch University, which was founded in 1980 and began academic programs in 1986 to supply skilled technical personnel for national water resource development. Initially offering basic certificate and diploma courses in the 1980s, the institution formally established the Department of Meteorology in 2001, later expanding it into a full faculty with a 4-year B.Sc. program in Meteorology and Hydrology by 2008. The faculty has since grown to offer specialized M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs covering Meteorology, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, and Geoinformation and Earth Observation for Hydrology. In collaboration with the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), the faculty is going to operate as a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Training Center (RTC) a regional center of excellence dedicated to upskilling professionals across Africa and strengthening climate monitoring. Furthermore, the faculty is poised to establish the Center for Climate and Atmospheric Research (CCAR) to advance high-impact hydro-climatic research and foster regional climate resilience.

Vision

To be a leading center of excellence in Ethiopia and Africa for meteorology and hydrology education and research, fostering sustainable management of water resources and climate-resilient solutions by 2030. The faculty aspires to produce graduates who are globally competitive and capable of addressing environmental challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.

Mission

The Faculty of Meteorology and Hydrology is committed to advancing knowledge and expertise in meteorology and hydrology through high quality education, innovative research, and community engagement. By integrating the study of atmospheric and water systems, the faculty aims to produce skilled professionals who address national and regional challenges in water resource management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development, contributing to Ethiopia’s socioeconomic growth.

 Goals

• Master the integrated dynamics of the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere to solve complex environmental challenges.
• Utilize practical training and research to improve national water resource management, operational climate monitoring, and disaster risk reduction.
• Build technical skills in climate modeling, mitigation, and adaptation grounded in sustainable water management principles.
• Drive high-impact research in meteorology, agrometeorology, and climate science to enable data-driven decision-making.
• Provide climate-resilient solutions, advisory support, and early warning systems to empower agriculture, water, and disaster management stakeholders.
• Partner with international institutions to foster global competence and advance national development initiatives.

Academic Programs

Under graduate (BSc)

·         Meteorology and Hydrology

Post graduate (MSc)

·         Meteorology

·         Climate Change and Sustainable Development

·         Geoinformation and Earth Observation for Hydrology

Post graduate (Ph.D.)

·         Meteorology

·         Climate Change and Sustainable Development

·         Geoinformation and Earth Observation for Hydrology

Infrastructures

·         GIS and RS Laboratory

·         Meteorological and Hydrological Instruments Laboratory

·         Weather Analysis Laboratory

Faculty Academic Organization

The Faculty comprises distinct academic specializations led by senior faculty members responsible for coordinating curriculum delivery, research initiatives, practical training, and broader departmental activities within their respective disciplines.

1. Meteorology and Climate Chair

·         Chair Head: Dr. Tesfay Mekonnen

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2. Hydrology Chair

·         Chair Head: Mr. Kumneger Elias

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Academic Staff Profile and Students Statistics

Staffs’ profile in Qualification and Academic Rank

Teachers on Study Leave

Current Students’ Data

Contact address

Name: Yoseph Arba Orke (PhD)

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Mobile: +251 979877714

Educational background and Work experience

·         PhD in Hydrogeology Earth System Sciences (Hydrology and Climate Change) - National Central University & Academia Sinica, Taiwan

·         MSc in Water Resources Engineering- KU Leuven & Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

·         BSc in Meteorology and Hydrology- Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

·         BA in Business Management- Hawassa University, Ethiopia

• Advanced Diploma in Meteorology Science – Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, Ethiopia (2006)

·         Meteorological Officer at National Meteorology Agency from 2006 to 2008, Lecturer at Arba Minch University from 2008 to 2022 and Assistant Professor from 2022 to current

Research Focus:

·  Hydro-Climatic and  Hydrological Modeling,  Extreme Value Analysis & Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change, Downscaling & Bias Correction, Satellite Hydrology, Remote Sensing & Geoinformatics and Hydroinformatics & Data Science in Hydrology.