Dear Students, Faculty, Alumni and Partners

It is my great honor conveying this message as a Dean of College of Law and Governance at Hawassa University (HU). The College of Law and Governance (CLG) has been established in 2011 comprising the school of Law and the School of Governance and Development Studies (GaDS). In the meantime, the department of Civics and Ethical Studies has been formed in 2018 as a new academic unit under the College of Law Governance. Currently, the CLG hosts 4 undergraduate and 10 Post Graduate Programs with varies field of studies. The school of Law encompasses 1 undergraduate program in Local Law (LLB) and 3 post graduate programs, namely, LLM in criminal justice, LLM in land and environmental law and LLM in commercial law. Likewise, the school of GaDS also hosts 1 under graduate program of BA in Governance and Development Studies and 5 post graduate programs, namely: MA in Development management, MA in Governance and Development, MA in peace and conflict studies, MA in public management and policy development and MA in international relations and diplomacy. The department of Civics and Ethical Studies contain two under graduate programs, namely: Bachelor of Education (BED) in Civics and Ethical Education and Bachelor of Art (BA) in Civics and Ethical Studies and. furthermore, 1 summer MA program in Civics and Ethical Studies and one doctoral degree program in Doctor of Education (DED) in Civics and Ethical Studies. In addition to the aforementioned academic programs, the CLG is also hosting 3 common courses for the freshman program, namely; Logic and Critical Thinking, Global Affairs and Moral and Citizenship education, which are delivered for all undergraduate programs across the university.

The CLG is composed of esteemed and qualified academic staffs that are dedicated to fostering legal and justice issues, critical thinking, ethical leadership, and academic rigor. The college is highly striving for the excellence, integrity and equitable public service delivery through cultivating the future leaders of the society with wider knowledge spectrum. In the era of dynamic moral and ethical values, complex legal systems and evolving governance landscapes, the CLG remains committed on its’ mission to produce competent and qualified professionals. We are proud of our graduates and alumni who are making meaningful contributions in the legal sector, government services, private enterprises and the civil society organizations at the local and international arena.

In addition to the teaching learning activities, the academic staffs and students in the CLG are extensively involving on various research undertakings, community engagements and collaborative project activities. Multidisciplinary research themes are well entertained in the research activities of the college. The Free Legal Aid Center is one of the community engagements that the CLG is highly dedicated addressing to the most vulnerable sections of the society including the destitute, women, children and elders. The CLG had profound experiences of collaborative project undertakings with both the local and international organizations. Among others, the EU, ILO, USAID, British-Council and GIZ are worth mentioning international partners, where the CLG has successfully implemented various social action projects related to human rights, labor law, conflict management, peacebuilding, moral values and good governance issues. As we move forward, the CLG remain committed to innovative legal, governance, development and ethical education, responsive research activities and impactful community engagements. Therefore, the CLG encourages every member of our academic community and partners to be proactive agents of change ruled by the ethical values of truth, justice and good governance.  Together, let us continue to build a more just and equitable society. Thank you all so much.

With Regards

Debrework Debebe (PhD)

Dean, College of Law and Governance, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

• Email address: debreworkd@hu.edu.et
• Cell phone: +251987000024