Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed paid special tribute to the late Professor Beyene Petros at a memorial ceremony held at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa today.
Prof. Beyene Petros, who passed away on September 17, 2024, leaves behind a lasting legacy in academia, politics, and public service. He is best known for his commitment to nonviolent political struggle.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described Professor Beyene Petros as a man who embodied the principles of peaceful political engagement, playing a critical role in promoting a culture of nonviolence and constructive political dialogue in Ethiopia.
Born in 1950 in Southern Ethiopia, Prof. Beyene earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the former Haile Selassie I University in 1973. He then obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, in 1977, and completed his PhD in Tropical Diseases and Public Health at Tulane University in 1986.
A respected researcher, scholar, and lecturer at Addis Ababa University, Prof. Beyene mentored and trained hundreds of undergraduate students, as well as numerous Master's and doctoral candidates throughout his career.
In addition to his academic contributions, Prof. Beyene was a prominent political figure, advocating for equality, justice, unity, fraternity, freedom, peace, good governance, and democracy in Ethiopia since 1992.
He also served as the Deputy Minister of Education in the Ethiopian Transitional Government from 1991 to 1993 and was a member of the House of Representatives for two terms, from 1991 to 1993 and from 2000 to 2010.
Professor Beyene was a devoted father of four children, and his legacy endures through his many grandchildren, who brought him great joy.