The Department of Medical Microbiology has existed since the establishment of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) at the University of Gondar (UoG). The UoG officially became a university in 2012. (2004 E.C), achieving its status. In 1954 E.C. (1947 G.C), the University initially began as the Public Health College and Training Center (PHC & TC), offering laboratory diagnostic services. This foundation continued until 2011 E.C. (2018 G.C) under the CMHS, where the department functioned as the Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, providing education, research, community service, and clinical specimen testing. In 2011 E.C. (2018 G.C), with the founding of the School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, the Department of Medical Microbiology was established as an independent department. The University’s vision is to provide quality education, research, and community engagement that effectively respond to national and global demands, fostering a culture of innovation and quality based on sustainability, professionalism, learning and teaching, collaboration, social responsibility, and inclusivity. In line with this vision, the department actively undertakes various responsibilities such as (1) Teaching: the department delivers medical microbiology (bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology (previously), and Immunology(previously) courses to all health science students, including those pursuing MSc, specialty and PhD degrees. This encompasses students from programs of Biomedical & amp; Laboratory Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry, Health Officer, Nursing, Midwifery, Environmental Health, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, etc. It provides both theoretical and practical instruction and is continuously engaged in teaching activities. Furthermore, in alignment with the University’s strategic plan and the Ministry of Education’s directive to differentiate Universities, UoG has positioned itself as a research University. Accordingly, the department is expanding its postgraduate programs (MSc & amp; PhD) levels. In this regard, the department has offered an MSc degree in medical microbiology and Infectious and Tropical Diseases since 2009. Over 14 cohort of MSc students and more than 11 PhD students have graduated, making significant contributions to the country. Currently, it has 16 PhD students (11 male and 5 female) and 3 MSc students (all male) actively pursuing their studies in medical microbiology; (2) Research: it actively participates in research projects of public health importance in collaboration with local, national, and international institutions. It has been involved in numerous successful studies, especially in the fields of communicable diseases and biomedical sciences. Key research areas include tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, mechanisms of host resistance to parasitic diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and other parasitic infections, responses to traditional medicine, hospital-acquired infections, fungal diseases (mycoses), bacterial infections, clinical disease prevention, nutritional disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, and allergic reactions, among others; and (3) Diagnostic Services: since its inception, the department has provided laboratory diagnostic services for both outpatient and inpatient clients, offering specimen analysis and consultancy services. It plays a vital role in disease surveillance and implements professional activities in line with quality standards. It continues to deliver these essential diagnostic services effectively. Currently, it has 16 academic staff comprising 2 full & amp: 5 associate professors with PhDs, 2 assistant professors 7 lecturers with MSc (1 female and 6 male), and 3 PhD holders’ adjunct staff. It also has 1 MSc (home) and 6 PhD (3 home, and 3abroad) students who are reading their degree. Two laboratory assistants (one with a BSc & one with an MSc) support the department through their involvement in practical teaching / demonstration activities.
