Arba Minch University is a residential national university in Arba Minch, SNNPR, Ethiopia. It is approximately 435 kilometres (270 mi) south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The University was initially founded as the Arba Minch Water Technology Institute (AWTI) in 1986, and retains its reputation as a center of excellence for Water Technology in Eastern Africa. The University was officially inaugurated in June 2004 and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The University is currently undertaking an ambitious program of expansion and is targeted to develop from 8,000 registered students in 2008 to 24,000 students in 2014.