{"id":325,"date":"2012-02-19T20:58:47","date_gmt":"2012-02-19T20:58:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/puntlandstateuniversity.com\/psu1\/?p=325"},"modified":"2012-02-19T20:58:47","modified_gmt":"2012-02-19T20:58:47","slug":"puntland-state-university-celebrates-the-african-university-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/2012\/02\/19\/puntland-state-university-celebrates-the-african-university-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Puntland State University Celebrates the African University Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>On the 10th of November 2011, Puntland State University (PSU) joined the rest of the Association of African Universities in celebrating the African University Day. The event was held at the university main university Conference Hall in Garowe, the capital city of Puntland State of Somalia. The theme of the ceremony was Harmonization of Curricula and Qualifications in Higher Education in Africa: Challenges and prospects. The participants included staff from the international agencies based in Garowe, Government ministries led by the Ministry of Education, Somali intellectuals and community leaders.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In his opening remarks to mark the occasion, the PSU President, Mohamud Hamud Mohamed, highlighted the importance of the AAU as a representative forum for articulating African higher education issues in Africa and the world: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153member institutions shared a common goal geared towards continuous enhancement of educational standards and research activities for human development in Africa\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. The president mentioned that the brain-drain was one of the greatest challenges which African people were facing. He emphasized the need to make African universities more independent from the donation of external agencies. The president also noted that some Somali universities had formed an umbrella known as SOMALIREN which is a full member of the UNBUTUNET Alliance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>During the discussions on the 2011 African University Commemoration theme, many eminent persons contributed their views in the ceremony. One of those who raised some important issues was Prof. Mohamed Said Samatar, who is a senior economist, former professor of Somali National University and member of teaching and consultant staff of PSU.\u00c2\u00a0 He pointed out the main challenges which African Universities are facing. He said, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122the constraints of African Universities are shortage of resources: textbooks and well established research centers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He further mentioned in his speech the need for relevant curriculum which can address the needs of the African Societies. He also appreciated the progress made by PSU although it was a newly established institution where everything was started from the scratch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> –<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Mohamed Hassan Barre, Director Puntland Electoral Commission, appreciated the establishment of PSU. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really impress the sustainability of PSU\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said the director. He encouraged that the establishment of research centre which could take part the development process and restoration of peace and stability in the country.<\/p>\n

\u00a0–<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Director of the\u00a0 Higher Education Commission of Puntland, Mr. Abdullahi Ali Jamja congratulated PSU for being member of AAU. He pledged that the commission would present the drafted policy for the higher education institution of Puntland which could give the institutions clear guidelines. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The commission will make advocacy for the institutions and provide capacity building programs\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said the director. .<\/p>\n

Finally, the president of the university closed the ceremony, sending best wishes to the all members of the AAU.<\/p>\n\n

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