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Somali National University beats odds to produce its first batch of graduates after being closed for nearly three decades

They say ‘where there is a will there is a way’ and no country is proving that than Somalia.

They say ‘where there is a will there is a way’ and no country is proving that than Somalia.

On Monday, Somali National University, which is the only public university in Mogadishu and which had been closed for 23 years due to civil war, successfully produced its first batch of graduates in a colorful ceremony witnessed by top Somali government officials including President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed alias Farmajo.

Somali National University graduates.

131 Students graduated from Faculty of Law, Education, Agriculture, Livestock & economy. They are the first batch of graduates after the reopening of the university and the twentieth batch since its establishment.

President Farmajo attending the Somali National University Graduation.

Among the graduates was one Yusuf Abikar Shador who was forced to suspend his education with just two years left to graduate in 1991 before the institution closed down.

In 1990, the government of President Mohamed Siad Barre fell, and like a deck of cards all other government structures, including the university, soon crumpled and was abandoned.

Emanuela C. Del Re@ecdelre

With Aisha Abulkar best student of Fac of Economics in Somali National University that reopened in 2014 after conflict and now sees first group of graduates getting their diploma. Historic moment I could not miss.

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Terrorist group Al-Shabaab – which forbade education and stifled development – was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 by the Somali National Army backed by African Union peacekeepers.

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Mohamed A. Juuni@Mohamedjuuni

Yusuf Aybakar shadoor is a 66 years old student graduated from somali national university today. Congratulation for your amazing achievement my dear grandfather. you are our role model & we always proud you.

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After the departure of the extremist militants, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGOS) had the security and support it needed to mobilise financial and technical assistance from local businesses to rehabilitate the campus.

131 Students graduated from Faculty of Law, Education, Agriculture, Livestock & economy.

The University, which is located in the Hamarweyne district of Mogadishu – also known as ‘Old Mogadishu’ was later reopened in 2014.

The Somali National University was established in 1954 in the Trust Territory of Somalia. It later obtained official university status in 1969.

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DERVISH GEDLE@Hassanabdi8060

Somali national university
1980

Somali archive

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The campus was built by Italian colonialists in 1956 originally as an institute for Somalis to learn management, law and economics. In 1969 – nine years after independence – it was renamed the Somalia National University.

The school grew over the years into a 14-faculty institution that produced most of the country’s top civil servants.

Somalia National University

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