Amoud University marks its 6th graduation ceremony
Today, August 5th, 2007, is marked in Amoud University Calendar as the sixth graduation ceremony the university has experienced since its inception in 1998. This anniversary, in which 104 students were granted degrees and diplomas in their respective fields of study, was special in the history of the university as the first cohort of five medical students were graduating. As usual, the university has attracted spectators from all walks of the society. Ministers, parliamentarians, community leaders, representatives of international organizations and members of the civil society as well as intellectuals have all gathered today in the morning at the Main Campus of the university to commemorate this great occasion.

This ceremony coincided with the peak of the summer, characterized by fresh rain water, green acacia trees and a variety of blossoming flowers, all lying side by side, to give an indelible impression to its recipients. The summer morning breeze, mixed with the scent of the wild flowers, was also very attractive. In addition, the intensive effort of the Graduation Ceremony Committee was apparent in every bit of the campus area. A committee of young, dedicated members of the staff, who were assigned the task of preparing the ground for this special ceremony, has utilized its energy to its maximum for the last two weeks to make this event memorable for generations.

The graduates their parents and the invited guests started to gather at the graduation venue, which was specially decorated to mark this important anniversary. Around 9:30 in the morning, all the guests were seated in the hall. Soon after that, the ceremony started with a speech by the President of the University, Prof. Suleiman Ahmed Gulaid.

Prof.Suleiman started his key note speech by outlining the essence of the ceremony, which was to mark the graduation of 104 students who successfully completed all Amoud University’s Academic requirements. Five of these students were granted MBBS from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. 41 students graduated from the Faculty of Business and Public Administration (38 of them obtaining Bachelor of Business Administration, while the remaining three students were granted Diplomas in Business Administration). Seven students earned Bachelor of Science from the Faculty of Education, while 51 students earned Diplomas in Education from the same Faculty. Students from the Faculty of Education graduated from the three Departments of the Faculty, Namely Biology and Chemistry Department, Physics and Maths Department and Social Science Department. The President emphasized that, in addition to the teachers and business professionals graduating today, Amoud University has managed to produce the fist group of doctors who, in the history, ever graduated from a university in Somaliland. These doctors had apin which red “Taught and Trained in Somaliland”on thier graduating gowns .

In that speech he delivered at the sixth Graduation Ceremony, the President gave a brief overview of the long, challenging journey the university has undergone to reach its present status. The President made it clear that without the support of the local community, along with the moral and material support of the Diaspora, all these efforts would have ended in vain. Thanks to the concerned citizens, who were, at any cost, determined to change the rhythm of history for the betterment of their people.

In his short, but comprehensive address, the President pointed the achievements the university has made since last graduation ceremony this time last year. He has indicated that the university has tremendously expanded its teaching/learning infrastructure and the programs it offers. Since that time, the university has rehabilitated lecture halls and dormitories. This eased a lot of pressure resulting from the dramatic increase in the student population of the university. The university has also started new Faculties, namely Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Sharia and Law, and new online courses delivered via the web. In its effort to respond to the needs of the community by providing high quality education, the university also plans to start new programs that will expand both its scope and reach.

Finally, the President declared that, according to the relevant Amoud bylaws, that the graduates had successfully completed the diploma and degrees for their respective programs. He also stated that, as result of this Amoud certification, the graduates were entitled to receive all the rights and privileges that accompanied their qualifications, while at the same time they were obliged to fulfill all the responsibilities their qualifications came with.
Speaking at the ceremony also was

Dr. Said Ahmed Walhad, Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who gave a brief speech on the importance this occasion holds for the history of the University and the country. The Dean talked of the pain the lecturers, doctors and students in the Faculty had endured to make their dream true. After a long period of peaks and troughs, they have together realized their vision: the production of high quality, competent, locally trained medical professionals. The Dean expressed his words of thanks to Kings College Hospital, based in London, which enormously contributed to the Faculty by supplying teachers, medical equipments and helping it revise its curriculum. He also thanked all the institutions and individuals who supported the process.

Since its establishment, almost a decade ago, the most pronounced resource the university has enjoyed is its dedicated, unrelenting lecturers who are committed to turn their dreams into reality. They are teachers who, in both ups and downs of life, never showed any sign of losing hope. Whether paid or unpaid, provided with transport or not, they are always punctual, ready to give the meager resource they have. Afterwards the chance to speak was given to the linguist , poet and scientist prof.Gaariye who emphasized the special meaning this ceremony conveyed both to him and to the graduates. He said that it was moving to see the seeds he planted germinate into productive members of the society. To graduates, the event symbolized the transition from passive recipients of community resources to contributors. In his short remarks, the Prof. highlighted the need to develop the proficiency of our children in Somali language, which, as he argued, was a necessary ingredient for the child’s mental growth and future acquisition of Somali language.

In their long period of studies at Amoud University, the graduating students have uncompromisingly pursued their resolve to change their lives through education. Though challenges of all magnitude tried to block their, these students have showed they were strong enough to surmount immense difficulties.

Abdirizak Farah Hassan, one of the graduating medical students was given the opportunity to deliver a short address, on behalf of the graduating students, to the participants of the ceremony. The student, high in mood, acknowledged their long way which took seven years to this important day. He thanked the parents who were always there for their support, and the teachers who made all this come into fruition. Abdirizak also vowed their commitment to work for their needy community.

Amoud University was not alone in the struggle to establish itself as a center for training professional in the different fields the society needs most. It is accompanied by other sectors of the society. International donor organizations stand out to be an important member of this web. The World Health Organization has for a long period of time been a close partner with Amoud University’s Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. In this regard, a high-ranking official from WHO attended the ceremony. Dr. Aaid Mun’im delivered a short speech to the participants and the graduating students. He congratulated the graduates on their success. He also encouraged them to become effective members of the society. He vowed that his organizations would continue to support Amoud University in its effort to contribute to the society.

The remaining part of the progamme included speeches made by members of the civil society and government officials.

Haji Dahir Aw Elmi, Chairman of Amoud University Board of Trustees and a prominent member of the Community, who tirelessly worked for this university from its inception to the present stage, said that it was blessing from Allah to see cohorts of students, well equipped and competent, graduating from the university every day.

Mrs. Edna Aden, the former Foreign Minister of Somaliland and now the Executive Director of Edna Aden Maternity Hospital, pointed out how excited she was to see the first group of doctors graduate from the university. She expressed great confidence in the competency of the new doctors, and as a result of long observation of their performance, she could trust them with the care of patients.

Other attending dignitaries and politicians also maid their remarks at the ceremony . Hon.Faysal Ali Warabe, the leader of the opposition party, UCID, stated that only through education we could build a nation that is strong and stable and over come the evils of clan division.

The Somaliland Minister for Interior, Hon. Abdillahi Ismail, underlined the need to strengthen institutions like Amoud that contributed to security of the country. He also recommended peace education be included in the university curriculum.

The ceremony culminated with a long speech delivered by the Ministerof Education,

Hon.Hassan H. Mohamoud Warsame. The minister outlined the pioneering role Amoud played in the reconstruction of the ruined Somaliland educational system. He thanked the President of the University for his unlimited devotion to the development of higher education in the country. After congratulating the graduates for their success, he officially bestowed on them the degrees and diplomas they earned.