About

About the Department (Geography and Environmental Studies)

Geography has ancient roots dating back to the third century BC. Although it was established as a field of knowledge in ancient times, it emerged as an independent academic discipline only in the nineteenth century. Initially, geography focused primarily on the physical features of the Earth. Over time, however, it evolved into a comprehensive discipline that examines both the natural and human dimensions of the Earth as interconnected systems. Amid contemporary global challenges such as rapid urbanization, climate change, land degradation, resource depletion, and globalization, the demand for professionals capable of transforming spatial data into actionable insights has increased significantly.

In Ethiopia, the teaching of Geography at the tertiary level began in 1950 at the former University College of Addis Ababa, now known as Addis Ababa University. Initially, Geography in Ethiopia was offered as an important field of study for students in the Arts. As of 2002, the department of Geography has been officially renamed as Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GeES). The discipline has since expanded considerably, and it is now established in all public universities across the country. Similarly, the Department of GeES at Debre Markos University (DMU) has been offering undergraduate education since the university commenced operation in February 2007. The department began with six academic staff members (four lecturers and two graduate assistants) and ninety students under the then Faculty of Education, which comprised only eight core departments. Since the establishment of the university, the department has achieved significant progress in expanding its training capacity, increasing the number of academic staff, improving staff qualifications, and launching postgraduate programs.

From its establishment until 2009, the Department of GeES at DMU successfully graduated large number of students and awarded its graduates with Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Degree in GeES. However, following the national curriculum reform implemented in 2009, which shifted undergraduate programs from an education-oriented framework to an applied science-oriented approach, the Department has been awarding its graduates with Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Geography and Environmental Studies (“የባችለር አርት ዲግሪ በጂኦግራፊና አካባቢ ጥናት”).

In response to the growing demand for qualified professionals in Geography and Environmental Studies, the department launched a postgraduate (MA) program in Environment and Land Resource Management in 2012. Since then, it has trained professionals through regular, extension, and summer programs. The department has also offered an MA program in Geography and Environmental Studies through government-sponsored summer programs. Recognizing the increasing importance of addressing issues related to climate change and sustainable development, the Department further developed an MSc curriculum in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, which was approved by the University Senate in 2022.

During the end of 2025/2026 academic year, the department at DMU has 29 teachers, and one GIS laboratory assistant. Of these teachers, two are Associate Professors, eight are Assistant Professors holding PhD degrees, one is an Assistant Professor without a PhD, and eighteen are Lecturers with MA/MSc qualifications. The department will continue revising its undergraduate curriculum to better address contemporary and dynamic natural and human processes. Furthermore, the department has been working to open a doctoral (PhD) program in Environmental Change Management, which is planned to be launched in the 2019 E.C. (2026/2027 G.C.) academic year.

Program Missions, Values and Goals

The missions of the program are:

• Implementation of the New Education and training Policy of the Country which demands academically qualified professional for the undergraduate educational program.
• Producing academically qualified experts who can work research and community-based activity on geographically diverse areas of the country.
• Expanding the geographic research horizons and to effectively integrate it with the national planning and development;
• Implementation of Ethiopia’s short and long socio-economic development plans by producing the necessary skilled manpower in both quality and quantity for the country’s development.
• Enhancing the quality of geographical education for broader applications and its implementation for the resolution of human problems;

Values

The program has the following values:

• Excellence in Education – Offer a rigorous, high-quality education to all students and make a continuous and concerted effort to develop its academic and research programs to the center of
• Quality: Exert a continuous effort to deliver highest standard academic and community
• Student Success – Place learner needs at the center of our academic service programs
• Diversity – Achieve multicultural understanding as a priority of educational and civic life
• Integrity – Operate with fairness, honesty, and the highest ethical standards to sustain a student and community of trust in its academic and public services.
• Relevance: Give a considerable attention to make sure that all academic and research activities are oriented to meet the needs of all stakeholders in particular and the development of the society in
• Innovation: Strives to advance innovativeness among the academic community and
• Academic freedom: the program adheres to principles of academic freedom in an effort to advance academic wisdom and create an environment for free discussion and dissemination of ideas and research findings.
• Participatory: the program encourages and creates a system for the active involvement of all stakeholders in all its undertakings and decision-makings.
• Equity: the program promotes; affirmative action to encourage female participation both students and staff. social inclusiveness to disabled students, staff and community members social justice to initially disadvantaged regions and ethnic groups
• Accountability: the program promotes accountability at individual and institutional levels with full answerability to the public and the University community.

Goals

The program intends to:

• Impart current knowledge and practical skills to Geography students through theory, practices and field exercises.
• Prepare highly qualified professionals that can engage in local, national, and global issues of their field
• Instill in students ethical and moral values related to citizenship and community
• Provide relevant, up-to-date, and integrated practical skills that can be applied to solving community issues and problems.
• Integrate the curriculum with marketplace and societal needs and to prepare students for careers in the public and private sectors or for advanced graduate study.
• Provide optimum community service
• Conduct high quality research on relevant
• Conduct high quality professional