The ECUSTA Blog

ADDIS ABABA — In a major leap forward for digital learning and academic research, the Ethiopian Catholic University - St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) has officially launched LibGuides , a state-of-the-art, unified research portal designed to put the world's academic knowledge at the fingertips of its students and faculty. Built with a commitment to speed, privacy, and seamless access, the new platform is a database-free (stateless) discovery engine that completely transforms how the ECUSTA community interacts with scholarly materials. From medical researchers to social work and humanities students, the portal bridges the gap between complex academic indices and an intuitive user experience. Here is a look at the groundbreaking features and highlights of the newly launched LibGuides portal: 1. Federated Academic Search: 250+ Million Papers in One Place Gone are the days of opening dozens of tabs to search different academic databases. LibGuides allows users to query seven major academ...

ADDIS ABABA — In a deeply moving interview on EyitaTV , a young Ethiopian woman named Tihtina shared a harrowing account of survival that has left viewers profoundly inspired. Currently a second-year Social Work student at the Ethiopian Catholic University - St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA), Tihtina opened up about the trauma of losing her hand in a severe accident and how she faced it with unyielding faith. "I Was Aware..." The tragic event occurred in 2016 E.C. while Tihtina was traveling from Hossana for a church program. The public transport bus she was riding lost its brakes and violently rolled over near Ziway. Because she was seated right next to the emergency exit, she was thrown out of the window as the heavy vehicle tumbled. The most striking revelation of the interview came when Tihtina detailed the immediate aftermath. She recalled being completely conscious, stating she was aware from the very moment she hit the ground. Instead of excruciating pain, she described fee...

ADDIS ABABA, January 29, 2026 — The Ethiopian Catholic University - St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) has cemented its position as a hub for international scientific collaboration this week. The university is currently hosting the concluding in-person session of the SHARE_AFRICA Blended Executive Programme (BEP) , an advanced training initiative funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU program. The program, focused on "One Health, Global Health, Planetary Health - New Approaches in Emerging Economies," is led by the University of Padua in Italy. By hosting the final leg of this 500-hour executive course, ECUSTA is bridging the gap between European research institutions and African health challenges. Local Leadership Driving Global Impact The seamless execution of this high-profile event at the Addis Ababa campus is credited to Dr. Tigist Mohammed , ECUSTA’s Head of the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Department and Research Head. As the organizer, Dr. Tigist has been i...

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, the ECUSTA Higher Learning Institute (Lebu Campus) marked a definitive milestone in Ethiopian higher education, hosting a grand graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026. Steeped in the tradition of "Veritas Splendor" (The Splendor of Truth), the ceremony was not merely a conferring of degrees but a celebration of the Lasallian mission: Teaching Minds, Touching Hearts, and Transforming Lives . In an atmosphere defined by academic rigor and solemn celebration, the Institute conferred First Degrees upon a new generation of professionals in Medical Laboratory Science , Doctor of Medicine , and Social Work . These graduates enter the workforce equipped not only with technical expertise but with the ethical leadership and social responsibility that define an ECUSTA education. The Institute’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its track record, boasting consistently high national qualification pass rates. A Gathering of Distinguished Leadership ...

In a powerful demonstration of unity between faith, government, and academia, the Ethiopian Catholic University of St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) hosted a historic delegation at its newly constructed campus in the Lebu area of Sheger City. The event brought together the highest levels of leadership: From the Government: Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Temesgen Tiruneh , Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba , and Minister Advisor to the Prime Minister Deacon Daniel Kibret . From the Church: H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel , Metropolitan Archbishop and Chancellor of the University, alongside distinguished members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia . Hosting this esteemed group was  President Br. Kassu McFantaye , whose transformative leadership has been the driving force behind the realization of this state-of-the-art facility. A Convergence of Visions The presence of Cardinal Berhaneyesus , serving as the University Chancellor, underscored the deep institutional commitmen...

The Ethiopian Catholic University of St. Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) proudly took its place on the global stage this week at the 14th International Association of Lasallian Universities (IALU) Meeting (XIV Encuentro) . For the first time in history, this prestigious gathering of global educational leaders convened on the African continent, underscoring the growing importance of the region in the future of higher education. Representing ECUSTA at this milestone event was University President Br. Kassu McFantaye . A Shared Mission: "I Am Because We Are" The conference brought together nearly 100 leaders from Lasallian universities worldwide under the powerful theme “Ubuntu – I am because we are.” This philosophy of interdependence and shared humanity resonated deeply with ECUSTA’s own mission to foster holistic development through community and service. For Br. Kassu and the ECUSTA delegation, the gathering was not just a meeting, but a reaffirmation of the university's identi...

The global Catholic Church continues to reflect deeply on the profound legacy of Pope Francis following his passing on April 21, 2025. For us here in Ethiopia, his departure was not just the loss of the Supreme Pontiff, but the loss of a Holy Father who truly saw and championed the Global South. As a university rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, we join the universal Church in honoring a leader who tirelessly advocated for peace, human dignity, and the care of our common home. A Pope for the Peripheries Within the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Pope Francis will be remembered for how he shifted the Church’s gaze toward the margins. He understood the unique spiritual heritage of Eastern Catholic churches, and his deep respect for traditions like our own Ge'ez rite was evident in his vision of a decentralized, deeply culturally rooted Church. For a nation that has known both the profound beauty of ancient Christianity and the heavy burdens of conflict, Francis’s constant appe...

International Social Work Day 2025   March 25, 2025 "Social justice is not an abstract principle — it is something you hold, distribute, and fight for. On March 25th, our students lived it." Every year, the world pauses to recognize the quiet, relentless work of social workers — those who sit with grief, advocate inside broken systems, and believe that every person deserves dignity. This year, ECUSTA Higher Learning Institute's Department of Social Work did not just observe International Social Work Day. They stepped into it. Forty-one people — 34 students and 7 staff — left campus and headed to the Save Generation Development Association (SGDA) in Addis Ababa. What followed was one of the most meaningful days in the department's recent memory. 34 Students 7 Staff Members 1999 SGDA Founded 7 Graduating Cohorts The Organization A Women-Led Force for Change Save Generation Develo...