Arba Minch University in Ethiopia, is situated at the foot of the Gamo Gofa mountain ranges facing the Abaya Lake, forming part of the East African Rift Valley It was founded in the late 1980s.

With an objective to address water-related issues, the then Arba Minch Water Technology Institute (AWTI) was established in September 1979 EC (1986). AWTI offered short and long-term training; conducting research, and consultancy services in the water sector.

Until 1993, the institute was under the Water Resource Commission and was then transferred to the Ministry of Education. In the wake of the nation’s development plan to produce qualified manpower, the institute was scaled up to the level of university as Arba Minch University in 2004.

The Commissioner of WRC, Mr Alem Alazar, said the purpose of the institute was to train middle level professionals (diploma-level and BSc degree) to narrow the gap between the professional position and the low-level technicians.

Arba Minch Water Technology Institute started its academic function in September 1986 by accepting 181 students in two degree, two advanced diploma and two diploma programs.

The objectives were to provide theoretical and practical education designed to produce manpower, to conduct basic and applied research to ensure the effective utilization of water resources for the development of the country, and to conduct refresher courses for organizations working in the field of water.

Source: Wikipedia (d.d. November 9th 2017)