Dr Teame Mebrahtu, one of Bristol's first black magistrates, an international advocate for peaceful integration, and former University academic of the School of Education has been awarded an OBE in the King's New Year Honours.
The award is for services to education, refugees and the Bristol community.
Dr Mebrahtu was already a leading educationist in Asmara, Eritrea - then part of Ethiopia - when he sought asylum in Britain because his life was threatened during the Mengistu regime.
He applied and was granted refugee status followed by UK citizenship and came to Bristol to study for an MEd in 1972 and a PhD in 1980. After successfully completing his doctorate, he was appointed as lecturer, rising to become a senior lecturer in the University’s Graduate School of Education, now School of Education. For 24 years he taught and mentored students from all over the developing world, many becoming leading academics in their own countries.
Dr Mebrahtu (centre) in 2017 at the launch of the book 'Long Way from Adi Ghehad: Journey of an Asylum Seeker: Dr Teame Mebrahtu' written by Stan Hazell. Also pictured (from left) Dave Brockington, Dr Roger White, Teblez Mebrahtu, Dr Teame Mebrahtu, Prof. Michael Crossley, Anne Crossley, and Prof. Malcolm Johnson.
Dr Mebrahtu was determined to serve the communities of his adopted country. He became an acknowledged and much sought after expert on the issues of immigration and how newcomers to this country can live harmoniously together with the host population. His service to the Bristol community was recognised by an invitation in 1984 to become a Bristol magistrate.
His commitment to the local community included assisting his wife Teblez in a project to help feed the homeless in Bristol. Every week they would provide food and help distribute it. But Dr Mebrahtu also spent many hours of his free time assisting his fellow refugees cope with the issues of settling into a new country. He understood the challenges they faced and sought to help them integrate with the community.
He believes that everyone needs to learn to live with an understanding and acceptance of differences.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, speaking of the honourees said: "On behalf of the University, I extend my warmest congratulations on these prestigious honours in recognition of their remarkable contributions to their respective fields.
"Their achievements exemplify the University’s core values of making a positive impact to society through the advancement of knowledge and education of future generations. They also serve as an inspiration to our academic and alumni community."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The New Year’s Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.
“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”
To read more on this visit the full article: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2023/december/new-year-honours.html