Ethiopian Police University Officially Launches Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs January 1, 2026: – EPU Sendafa

Ethiopian Police University (EPU) conducted the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs’ Launching Ceremony, officially inaugurating the PhD Program in Security Studies and the PhD Program in Strategic Leadership for Security. The event represents a major institutional milestone in strengthening advanced education and research capacity within the Ethiopian Police.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials and institutional leaders. H.E. Ms. Muferiat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills and Chairperson of the Board of Ethiopian Police University, attended the ceremony as Guest of Honor. In her address, the Honorable Minister stated that the police institution has registered significant progress over the past seven years as a result of sustained reform and capacity-building efforts. She noted that the launching of the PhD programs is aimed at developing competent and highly qualified professionals capable of supporting national peace, security, and state-building priorities.
The Honorable Minister further emphasized that building strong, independent, and sustainable public institutions, including the police, is a shared national responsibility. She explained that the reforms being implemented in policing methods, institutional mindset, and organizational structure are closely linked to the broader state-building and governance reform agenda of the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael, Commander-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Federal Police, stated that the establishment of the PhD programs is strategically important in enhancing the institutional capacity of the police to address emerging and complex security challenges. He noted that transnational and organized crimes, terrorism, cybercrime, and other technology-driven criminal activities require responses based on scientific research, advanced knowledge, innovation, and modern policing approaches.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Tamrat Mulugeta, Interim President of Ethiopian Police University, stated that the inauguration of the PhD Program in Security Studies and the PhD Program in Strategic Leadership for Security marks the first introduction of third-degree academic programs in the history of the Ethiopian Police. He explained that the programs were launched under the leadership of the Honorable Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael to support the establishment of a modern, professional, and effective police service aligned with national development objectives.
Dr. Tamrat added that the PhD programs will contribute to strengthening police research, policy development, and academic engagement at national, continental, and international levels.