Open University graduates 32 students with Master of Business Administration (MBA) here yesterday.

Speaking at the occasion, Associate Dean with the university Carmel McMahon said the university has been offering management education programs in Ethiopia since 1992.

The Open University Business School has a network of 20,000 MBA alumni worldwide including about 270 in Ethiopia.

According to the dean the university is also playing key role in the establishment of a Distance Learning Medical centre at St. Paul's Millennium Medical School.

Speaking on his part Minister of Education, Demeke Mekonen said the Ethiopian government’s commitment to accelerate and sustain development to end poverty is highly attributed to education.

Accordingly, he said the government has attached due attention to the education sector.

The government critically needs high level managers who have profound commitment to forge and sustain ongoing development.

The minister expressed beliefs that the graduates are ready to further deploy their managerial and leadership role in building peace, democracy and development in the country.

The program has been offered in collaboration with Open University, British Council, Ministry of Education and the Addis Ababa University College of Commerce.