Mitiku Haile

 Senior Adviser the Pastoral & Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA)

Mitiku Haile has been leading the PENHA and TBI program on dryland restoration across the Tigray-Afar Border Landscape in Ethiopia since 2020. His expertise in environmental and agricultural sciences, combined with decades of hands-on experience, makes him a key figure in natural resource management and landscape restoration.

For the past several years, Mitiku has been actively involved in fostering peace and collaboration as Chairman of the Committee for Peace Building, established by universities in the Tigray and Amhara regions. He is also a trusted advisor to the Abo Gereb (“Fathers of the Tree”), a council of elders focused on conflict resolution between the Afar and Tigray communities.

His career spans roles in leadership and academia, including serving as Associate Dean and Academic Vice President at Haromaya University. During his tenure as Dean of the College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources in Mekelle, he played a pivotal role in transforming the institution into Mekelle University, where he later became its founding President. His leadership and vision have been recognized both nationally and internationally.

Mitiku’s work extends beyond Ethiopia. As Ethiopia's Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, he played a vital role in representing the country's interests on the global stage. He is also a member of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences and various other professional societies. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bahir Dar University and received the prestigious GCHERA World Agriculture Prize in 2021.

Mitiku holds a Diploma in Environmental Science (HSIU), a BSc in Plant Sciences, an MSc in Agronomy (AAU), and a PhD in Soil Science from Ghent University, Belgium.

Contact: gualmitiku@yahoo.com