Mission Statement

Following the collapse of the Somali state and the civil strife which followed, most educational facilities were destroyed, damaged or simply abandoned as a result of insecurity. Education ceased to function at all levels causing school-going children and youth throughout Somalia to see their future suddenly blocked by circumstances beyond their control. Thousands of former students whose education was interrupted face unemployment with no possibility of obtaining qualifications to enter the job market.

In response to this bleak situation, a group of Somali professionals from within Somaliland and the Diaspora began discussions in 1996 relating to the creation of an institute of higher learning. This culminated in the establishment of Amoud University as a national community-based educational establishment.

Amoud University (AU) was formally launched in 1998 and is registered as a non-governmental, non-profit making institution. Amoud is an institute which is deeply rooted in the local community as the primary support for the establishment of Amoud came from the community elders, leaders, business people, concerned citizens and local non-governmental organisations.

Moreover, the establishment of Amoud University is seen as symbolic of the transition from an era of war and destruction to an era of peace and development and inspired other Communities not only in Somaliland but also other parts of Somalia to create higher learning institutions along the lines of Amoud University.

Amoud University started in 1998 with 60 students in two faculties (Education and Business Administration), and teachers. The University currently has a student population of 1000 enrolled in 5 faculties (including Medicine & Surgery), 45 teachers and a large library with up-to-date books. The first batch of Medical graduates will come out on June 2007 and their final exams will be supervised by Kings Cross Medical College of London UK which provides the curriculum and teaching assistance to the Amoud University Medical faculty.

In 2003, Amoud University signed a two-year project agreement with the EC/DANIDA/CfBT for teacher training at the Education Faculty. The two years Diploma Education Programme is funded by EC and DANIDA through UNESCO and CfBT. There are 52 students in group one and 78 students in group two in the Diploma programme. The students are going through teaching practice for 2 months in North-West, Awdal and Sahil regions with supervisors in place and with periodic supervision from Amoud University. The teachers programme is so successful and taking a new dimension where all the primary school teachers need to undergo through such training albeit shorter periods.

Amoud University will continue to lead dissemination of Education through excellence and dedication.