Somalia

The Somali National University in Mogadishu, created in 1972, was the nation's highest institution of higher learning; this was the old university created by the Italians under the Trusteeship. Under its new name, the institution consisted of 13 faculties, offering studies in agriculture, economics, education, engineering, geology, law, medicine, sciences, veterinary science, languages, journalism, and Islamic studies. The college of education, which prepared secondary-school teachers in a two-year program, was also part of the university. Prior to 1991, the university had a teaching staff of 700 and a student enrollment of about 5,000. In addition to the Somali National University, there was also a teacher-training institute, a school of Polytechnics, and a school of nursing. There were also opportunities for higher education abroad. Few Somalis, however, took advantage of these educational opportunities. Since the civil war, efforts have increasingly been made to reestablish institutions of higher learning in Somalia. Two institutions were opened in 1999, Mogadishu University and Amoud University in Boroma. Both have a student population of about 250 and are committed to the goal of training enough professionals to meet the growing needs of Somalis for educators and other professional fields. The mission statement for Amoud University recognizes that "the training of professionals is the first step to revitalize [sic] the educational system of country." Admission is given to those with a secondary school certificate or the equivalent and to those who pass an entrance examination. A third university is scheduled to be opened in the town of Hargeisa.