Fekadu Tolessa Gedefa (PhD)

Academic Rank: Assistant Professor in Mathematics and Computing Sciences (Applied Mathematics)

Dean, College of Natural Sciences

Background Information of the College

The College of Natural Sciences is one of the six colleges at Salale University. It was officially established in 2017(2010 E.C.), during the university’s early developmental phase. At its inception, the college launched with four core departments: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

In its first academic year, the college admitted a total of 290 undergraduate students , comprising 122 male and 168 female students. It also began with 30 faculty members , reflecting the foundational structure of the institution. This initial enrollment and staffing level highlighted strong regional demand and a growing national interest in the natural sciences.

Since its establishment, the College has demonstrated consistent growth in student population, academic offerings, faculty size, and infrastructure. It has expanded from the original four departments to include Statistics, Geology, Computer Science, and Sport Science, bringing the total to eight active departments. This diversification is a strategic response to Ethiopia’s increasing need for skilled professionals in science education.

Currently, the College enrolls a total of 1,465 students, among whom 446 are females. This growing and diverse student body is served by an expanded academic staff of 144 faculty members up from the initial 30 faculty members at the time of the College’s founding.

To date, the College has produced a total of 802 graduates , comprising 480 male and 252 female students at the undergraduate (B.Sc.) level, and 60 male and 10 female students at the postgraduate (M.Sc.) level. These graduates have gone on to contribute significantly in education, research, and development sectors across the country.

The College currently runs eight undergraduate (B.Sc.) programs and offers Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs in 14 specializations across the core disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. These programs are designed to equip students with rigorous scientific training, analytical and research skills, and professional competence suited to both academic and applied contexts.

In addition to its academic mission, the College of Natural Sciences is actively involved in community service, applied research, and institutional collaborations . Through these engagements, it seeks to address both local and national development priorities and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science and innovation in Ethiopia.