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 Leadership
The significance of the occasion was underscored by the attendance of a distinguished assembly of religious and academic leaders, illustrating the powerful support for the Institute’s mission.
The event was distinguished by the participation of the Institute’s Chancellor, His Eminence Cardinal Abune Berhaneyesus D. Surafel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Joining him were notable dignitaries including His Eminence Cardinal Silvano Tomasi, former Vatican Nuncio to Addis Ababa, and Monsignor Massimo Catrin, Representative of the Vatican.
The ecclesiastical and academic leadership present also included His Excellency Bishop Abune Lukas, Bishop of Emdibir; His Excellency Bishop Abune Marcos, Bishop of Jimma-Bonga; His Excellency Bishop Abune Seyoum, Bishop of Hossana; His Excellency Bishop Abune Dejene, Bishop of Sodo, and Brother Carlos Gómez, Vicar General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
The governance of the institution was represented by His Excellency Abba Ketema Asfaw, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Chairman of the ECUSTA Board, alongside the Institute’s President, His Excellency Brother Kassu Fantaye. In a unified display of faculty support, all Department Heads were in attendance to personally attest to the readiness of their students.
A Legacy of Holistic Formation
As a proud member of the International Association of La Salle Universities (IALU), ECUSTA Higher Learning Institute is dedicated to the holistic formation of its students. The graduates honored today have benefited from state-of-the-art laboratories and rigorous hospital attachments, ensuring they possess the practical skills necessary to serve their communities with integrity and compassion.
