GAROWE, Somalia Aug 19 (Garowe Online) - The first
batch of students to complete a Bachelor's degree program at Puntland
State University, in northeastern Somalia, graduated on Monday in a
well-organized event attended by family members, university staff and
government officials.
Nimo Ahmed Mohamud, the Dean of Academic Affairs at PSU, opened the
ceremony by offering brief history about PSU and its humble beginnings
in 1999, in the city of Garowe, the capital of Puntland.
Ms. Nimo called on the government of Puntland, business leaders
and the community to encourage education and to help build the capacity
of local institutions of higher learning, so students can earn a
qualified education at home.
Most of the students who graduated have already found work at
Golis Telecommunications, CARE International and the Government of
Puntland, according to the University's Dean of Academic Affairs.
The University's president, Mohamud Sheikh Hamid, who is also
chairman of the Kaalo non-governmental organization, spoke about the
benefits of education and the significance of PSU's first-ever
graduating class to the community and the country.
"Today is a great honor for me and the PSU communit as a whole as we
provide awards to the 34 graduates who successfully completed a
four-year course for Faculty of Business Administration," Mr. Hamid
said, adding that there are nine female graduates.
Another 22 students -- including seven women -- finished a two-year program and earned an Associate Degree, he added.
Sultan Mohamed Said Garase, a well-known traditional elder and
community activist, spoke about the importance of peace in helping
develop and improve education.
Puntland President Mohamud "Adde" Muse told the crowd of more than
250 people that his administration has invested time and resources in
education, including signing up 900 teachers across the region.
"The lack of education is our biggest problem," the President said,
while pledging to hire up to five students of the graduating class to
work for the government.
Source: Garowe Online
