Mihret Walelign Mengstu

I am Mihret Walelign, born and raised in a rural community in the northwest part of Ethiopia. I hold a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Social Work and I have also completed my Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. 

After I completed my bachelor's degree, I spent an internship year with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Ethiopia, a Canadian-based organization that works on youth empowerment and business entrepreneurship. My internship experience stimulated me to engage in academics and led me to a teaching career. Currently, I am a lecturer of sociology at Debre Markos University of Ethiopia and teach major sociology courses for undergraduate sociology students. Studying sociology as well as making it part of my career initiated my interest I got in cultural studies, identity, development, and political issues of human society. This is where I got my curiosity about African studies. 

I believe that EMIAS with its multidisciplinary approach is an opportunity to deepen one's understanding of Africa from multiple perspectives; the historical, political, developmental, environmental, and cultural sides. With EMIAS, I will develop a broader understanding of the relationship Africa have with the world in terms of economy, politics, and aid and support schemes. I expect that it will stretch my research interest as well as my worldview regarding Africa and the rest of the world. This, I believe, will in turn mold and serve me as a stepping stone in articulating my future academic aspirations and concentrations. Moreover, I aspire to be a contributing member of Africa’s future and development and believe that EIMAS will pave the way.

Cheers!