University of Burao

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Saad Ali Shire held a series of meetings with communities of Somalilanders in the Diaspora. Discussions were mainly focused on education in Somaliland in general and the role these communities may play in this regard. The discussions were concluded with a unanimous agreement on the urgent need for a full-fledged campaign to develop all levels and types of education in Somaliland. Aware of the significance of education and its vital role in comprehensive development, the Somaliland communities in the Diaspora received this conclusion with great satisfaction. It was seen as a good sign of a sense of commitment on the part of these communities towards their home country and their people. Dr. Saad quoted one of the attendees who said, ¨ If you think education is expensive, try ignorance¨ and added that ignorance indeed cost nations much more.

Dr. Saad recalled the joy and the profound sense of pride, which prevailed amongst the Somaliland communities in the Diaspora when the first university in Somaliland opened in Borama in 1999. He thanked all contributors to the establishment of this great institution, which paved the way for the establishment of the second university in Somaliland. Hargeisa University opened in 2002 and then Burao University in 2004. The year 2004 also witnessed the inauguration of the marine college in Berbera, the first of its type in the region.

He was amazed by the enthusiasm and organization of the Somalilanders abroad; Dr. Saad expressed optimism about the future. He was also encouraged by what he has seen during his recent visit to Somaliland and was keen to commend the efforts of those taking care of education at all stages, confirming that an all out revolution against ignorance and poverty is already underway and urged all to join the fight. He also Added, " I have learned from the men and the women of Burao that anything is achievable.”

Dr. Mohamed Yusuf also stated that, "education is a power that gives people the vision and the capability for defining and solving problems. It creates the effective tools needed for eradicating ignorance, poverty, and unemployment."

"We need an education policy based on quality and the priority of our needs. Our educational institutions have to work cooperatively to avoid overlapping and wasting their limited resources." Dr. M. Yusuf said.

Ms. Rhoda Rageh stressed the need for establishing professional organizations that can channel individual efforts into collaborative professional associations, not only for education, but also for all other domains. She emphasized the fact that the Somalilanders are not lacking qualified specialists in most areas of specialization, but rather lacks coherence and focus. She urged Somaliland intellectuals to take initiative and look beyond tribalism, demagogy and anarchy.

Mrs. Rhoda also highlighted the urgent need to address and find meaningful solutions to certain key issues such as:

a) Public health
b) Maternity health, citing the fact that rate of death among pregnant women is alarmingly high.
c) Homes for people with special needs, most of whom are victims of civil war, the previous regime genocide, poverty and ignorance, reminding attendees of their religious and moral commitment to lend a hand.
d) Mental Health Institutions and veteran's homes for all, as well as sustained support for the orphans and widows of those who died for the country.

Mrs. Rhoda also confirmed that a great number of conscious citizens have given and are still giving so much to our home country like the unknown soldiers who have been maimed defending our rights and who are yet to be recognized, or those who is working quietly and trying to help the people back home. She suggested as a gesture of gratitude and in order to encourage others to emulate these citizens, ‘the Somaliland people should know that we have urgent need for role models and there's not better way than to acknowledge publicly the generosity of our people.’

Finally, the moral crust of the argument in this story is that, together, we can reach great heights, if we pool our individual resources, intellect, skills and talents. In so doing, we can also achieve the impossible in our quest to nation-build. For example, today, we are building the physical structures for high schools, community colleges and universities in Somaliland with the vision and the understanding that tomorrow will be a better day for the people of our country. This new approach to social development in our country--a people-centered development--will certainly have a profound effect, in the future, on our economic growth and social well being, as we trek along into the 21st century. In fact, it will have a measuring effect on our society, as a whole, which will then lead us into a prosperous future. Indeed, it is the only way in which we can mould the younger generation of Somalilanders into productive citizens.

Adam Omar – Idiga
Somaliland Education Task Force
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SLETF

Please donate generously