The University of South Africa’s vision demonstrates its pride in its African roots and identity as it responds to Africa’s needs and aspirations nationally, on the continent, and on the global scene. This is the milieu that holds the anchor, ethos, and vision of the UNISA-Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre, which was inaugurated in January 2007 as a practical manifestation of UNISA’s Vision outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

Hinged on the South-South cooperation paradigm between South Africa and Ethiopia, UNISA began operating in Ethiopia with the sole mandate of assisting the Ethiopian government in human capacity development in the sphere of education.　

As part of the College of Graduate Studies, the Centre focuses on postgraduate students. It operates in three main domains: Student Administration, the Facilitation of Tuition and Research, and the Diplomatic sphere, which involves nurturing stakeholder relations and generally upholding the good image of UNISA abroad. We enrol students at Honours, Master’s and Doctoral levels, the largest being Doctoral. Students supported in the Centre come from all the colleges of the university (CAES, CAS, CEDU, CEMS, CHS, CLAW, CSET, and Graduate School of Business Leadership). According to the statistics of June 2024, there are 681 doctoral students registered at the centre.

The UNISA-Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre provides various academic and administrative support to students based in Ethiopia, some of whom are in diplomatic missions stationed in Addis Ababa. Academic support is provided through postgraduate workshops, seminars, and consultations that help students in, among others, proposal writing and other parts of their research. The administrative services rendered include admissions, registrations, library, ICT, and finance.

The "quality scholarship culminating in the success and graduation of students who will make a difference in the service of humanity are the hallmarks that have been clearly foregrounded in the 2030 Mission Statement". To this effect, in Ethiopia alone, 1097 students have graduated until September 2024. PhD graduates account for 52% of the graduates, and 34% completed Master’s degrees. We continue to shape futures.

Apply for admission to Master’s and Doctoral qualifications for the 2025^[PDF]

 Brochure for Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre^[PDF]