Events: Attaining Somaliland’s Dream Through Education

[Jacaylbaro]

The West London Somaliland Community in partnership with SSUK (Somaliland Society UK) and SSE (Somaliland Societies in Europe) is pleased to present the “Attaining Somaliland’s Dream Through Education” event. This event is to welcome the Vice-chancellors of Somaliland universities who are coming to visit the UK and to learn about the progress as well as the needs and challenges of Somaliland’s higher education. It is also an occasion to discuss and have a lively debate about the role of education in developing and building the Somaliland nation.

 

 

This event is one of series of events and meetings the Somaliland Vice-chancellors will attend to engage British Universities and Higher Education Sector to develop and build working partners with them and Somaliland Diaspora. Somaliland Societies in Europe is co-ordinating the visit and for further details please contact Eid Ali Ahmed: eid_consultancy@yahoo.co.uk

 

 

 

Among the guests are: Professor Suleiman Ahmed Gulaid, Dr Abdisalan Yassin Mohamed, Dr Hussein Bulhan, Dr Saeed Ahmed Hassan, Professor Yusuf Kireh and many more.

 

 

 

Date: Sunday the 13th December 2009

 

Venue: Dominion Arts & Cultural Centre, 112 The Green, Southall,

 

UB2 4BQ

 

Time: Starts at 2pm and finishes at 6pm

 

 

 

For more information please contact West London Somaliland Community office on 0208 848 1180 or 07957758340 / 07984676106

 

 

 

We look forward to welcoming you all on this thought provocative event.

 

 

 

The organising team

[Jacaylbaro]

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

 

Nomad International and Somaliland Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) in collaboration with the London Somali Youth Forum proudly present a Conference about Somaliland's Higher Education.

 

This event is to welcome the Vice-chancellors of Somaliland universities who are coming to visit the UK and to learn about the progress as well as the needs and challenges of Somaliland’s higher education. It is also an occasion to discuss and have a lively debate about the role of education in developing and building the Somaliland nation.

 

This event is one of series of events and meetings the Somaliland Vice-chancellors will attend to engage British Universities and Higher Education Sector to develop and build working partners with them and Somaliland Diaspora.

 

Key Guests Include:

 

President/Vice- chancellor of Amoud University: Professor Suleiman Ahmed Gulaid. Professor Gulaid studied in Michigan University graduating Master Degree in Psychology and he taught in Somali University before the civil war. He is the founder of Amoud University which is the first University established in Somaliland in 1996.

 

 

Vice-chancellor Burao University: Dr Abdisalam Yassin Mohamed

Dr Mohamed did his PhD from School of Oriental Studies of London University and he lectured in Saudi Arabian Universities for many years. For the last four years he has been the Vice-Chancellor of Burao University which was established in 2002.

 

Vice-Chancellor of Hargeisa University: Dr Hussein Bulhan

Dr Bulhan did his PhD in American Harvard University and he lectured in many USA Universities including Harvard University, Boston University and Wesleyan University. For the last two years he has ben the Vice-chancellor of Hargeisa University which was established in 1998

 

President/Vice- Chancellor of Gollis University: Dr Saeed Ahmed Hassan

Dr Hassan did his PhD in Toronto University and he is founder and President of Gollis University which was established in 2005.

 

Please do your utmost to attend this very crucial event.SPAC is reconstructing its executive committee. Drop me an email if you would like to work with us. spacuk@hotmail.com!

 

Cheers

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

Just a quick reminder that the event is happening today as planned. Please attend! its very beneficial and make sure you watch the 10pm Universal News to find out more.

 

Will post the pictures tomorrow inshallah.

 

Maximus

[poiuyt]

This is how Somaliland can help itself through education:

 

Somaliland needs to build a really good secondary school that enrolls kids from the ages of 12 to 18. The school should have a capacity of about 800 students. The school will be free for these students. The school will train kids excellently in English, introductory science, history and mathematics.

 

Every 12 year old in Somaliland should be made to take a rigorous IQ test in order to identify the smartest 800 kids around these ages. The kids who attain the top 800 scores get to go to the school for free. If a qualifying student happens to live far from the school, then the Somaliland government should pay a family nearby the school to house the kid.

 

A problem will naturally emerge: Attending the school will come to be seen as a privilege and soon enough corrupt officials will be scheming to get their kids into it the school even though their kids might not have attained the qualifying IQ score. These people must be dealt with ruthlessly.

 

Anyway, here's the purpose of the school: to prepare these young people for higher education in the West in the fields of science, math, engineering and medicine. About 10% should be required to study fields in the humanities -- literature, philosophy, etc, so they can come back and teach these things. EVERY KID WHO IS SENT ABROAD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD GET A TERMINAL DEGREE, i.e, a ph.D in his or her field.

 

Of course it'll happen that not every student of the 100 who graduate each year will have the best grades. The school should be VERY tough in order to weed out the sort of student who does not have what it takes -- despite his IQ -- to succeed in an institution of higher education in the West. Only 50 will be sent to the West to study, the other 50, with their thorough education in English, introductory science, and mathematics up to Calculus, can become teachers of kids ages 4 - 11 in other schools.

 

When the 50 who were sent abroad come back with their education, they can be employed in think tanks, institutions of higher education, private businesses, etc -- Somaliland will have more human capital.

 

If this process is maintained long enough pretty soon Somaliland won't need to send anyone abroad for education as Somaliland will have all the qualified professors it needs.

 

In summary:

 

~select the smartest kids in the Somaliland population since resources are scarce.

 

~make sure the process doesn't become corrupt, i.e, so and so isn't scheming to get his kids into the school even though they aren't bright enough.

 

~kids sent abroad get terminal degrees so that when they come back they can put their skills to use in training other teachers and professors.

[poiuyt]

There's one thing I forgot: some of the kids sent abroad should, instead of the fields I suggested previously, enroll in those technical type schools and acquire skills as machinists, electricians, carpenters, and so on. They'll train other people in these skills. Working with the returned trained engineers, and with some capital, Somaliland will then be in a position to build its infrastructure. Improved infrastructure results in improved business.

 

Anyway, this would be an investment that the Somaliland government would be making: if it improves its populations human capital, then the Somaliland government will net more tax revenue.

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

Exclusive Pictures from the Somaliland Public Affairs Committee Event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

A transcription of my speech at SPAC event:

 

As-Salamu Alaykum

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be here today in the presence of a number of dedicated Somaliland figures. It gives me great pleasure to be here today and to say a few words about this crucial and important conference about Somaliland Higher education welcoming the vice-chancellors of Somaliland’s universities to London.

 

First of all, I speak here today in my personal capacity and not as the founder and chairman of Somaliland Public Affairs Committee. This is partly due to my dedication and absolutely commitment to the development and progress of Somaliland in different capacities, not least in education, which is what the event will aim to discuss and concentrate on today.

This is because I consider myself to be a faithful advocate of the self-determination of Somaliland and its people which transcends beyond the usual relations between Diasporaic community groups and those groups in The Somaliland Republic.

 

 

Somaliland recognition plans are on track and gaining momentum. We have surprised the world about creating a safety stability country which Somaliland has managed to establish without recognition, in what is otherwise instable and dangerous part of the world which has been a haven for warlordism, extremist, and more recently piracy.

 

Somaliland is a country with a mammoth potential, it offers an important point of reference and an example worthy of following.

 

The march towards international recognition has not broken down and this is testament to the strong determination of the Somaliland people both those in the Diaspora and those back home.

 

Today, Somaliland provides the only face-saving exist strategy for the long standing conflict that is an outright reconfirmation of the 1960s internationally recognised independent state of Somaliland Republic, which will no doubt pave a way for a mutually and beneficially economic, diplomatic co-operation among the Somali speaking nations in the Horn of Africa.

 

The world, will no doubt be watching the outcome of the South Sudan referendum in 2011, which many analyst predict will redraw the borders set by the colonial powers and open a Pandora box of nations seeking self-determination, which Somaliland is surely primary candidate. anything less than a two-state solution would be rewarding to those who still fail to acknowledge the hard work and self-determination and great strides made by the people of Somaliland.

 

 

Despite the historical claim to sovereignty, a decade of stability and a referendum of self-determination, Somaliland is perishing for lack of recognition. The international community has acknowledged the political progress Somaliland has made but it has withheld the coveted recognition. There are a number of reason for this but one of the reason, I believe which has hindered Somaliland being recognised is the non-existence of a well organised and co-ordinated lobby group. Somaliland Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) hopes to fill this void and attempts to increase communication between Somaliland Republic and those somalilanders in the Diaspora.

 

 

Somaliland Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) is an advocacy organisation working for the recognition of Somaliland. Its aims are to primarily develop links between the Somaliland Government and its people in the Diaspora. In addition to this, SPAC aims to engage with and lobby the British Government and other governments as well as inter-governmental organisations to formally recognise the existence of Somaliland.

 

SPAC was created with the conscious aim of setting up an all inclusive, interest based, alternative policy and political lobby group for Somaliland.

Objectives of SPAC:

 

1. Recognition of Somaliland as a national sovereign state;

 

2. To promote democracy in Somaliland;

 

3. To promote and support the building of democratic institutions in the executive, legislative and judiciary;

 

4. To promote elections and parliamentary participation in Somaliland

 

5. To promote participation of members of the Diaspora to get involved in politics at the national level and local level in the United Kingdom.

 

6. To establish and maintain links with Somalilanders in the Diaspora;

 

7. Encourage the Somali Diaspora to consider what they can contribute to the development of Somaliland

 

8. Provide a means of engaging with and lobbing the British Government to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state;

 

9. To establish links with the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Somaliland;

 

10.To work with local MPs to advocate on our behalf regarding Somaliland

 

11. Alternative policy formulating Think Tank

 

 

The dispersal of Somalilanders across the world has indeed facilitated a new, dynamic and innovative age where Somaliland has greatly contributed to the development and renaissance of Somaliland.

 

 

Although Somaliland Organisations in the UK particularly those in London are working closely together there is lot of duplication going on and the numbers of Somaliland Organisations are increasing. It will be very good if Somalilanders in the UK can put their efforts and resources together in the formation of one strong viable Somaliland Organisation that is well respected by both Somalilanders and non Somalilanders. Somaliland Public Affairs Committee aims to fill that role but needs the Support of other Somaliland Organisations and the support of the Somaliland people in the UK.

 

I believe by co-coordinating our efforts and consolidating it into a single umbella organisation we can push the Somaliland agenda and mobilise those who wield power, not least in the London but also other parts of the world settled by Somaliland.

 

This effective voice would immensely increase our collective voice and would make UK based Somaliland groups and projects more influential and more effective.

 

Having said, I think it’s crucial we have many more organisations promoting Somaliland interests. I believe we can make help Somaliland more by diversifying into different fields. For instance, nomad International has helped to organise many social programmes in Somaliland including education and healthcare. We may also seek to branch out in many different fields including helping Somaliland in terms of the economy, media, and environmental as well as civil society groups.

 

If all the UK based projects were communicating well, the achievement of Somalilanders in the UK and Abroad would be highlighted better at a time when Somaliland recognition plans have stagnated. By sharing resources and working together and having each group specialising in a different field we can put Somaliland firmly on the world map.

 

 

Thank you very much, thank you

[-Serenity-]

I would have come if you werent holding it in fut0 biciid!

 

Next time, consider somewhere more central.

[Faheema.]

^You gave a good speech, well done.

 

I see some familiar faces in those pics.

[NGONGE]

^^ It was my backyard and I didn't even know. I'm glad I didn't though. The first paragraph in that speech would have got me hopping mad. (the rest looks good).

[MAXIMUS POWERS]

looool@NG

 

Out of touch Somalilanders should be sent to SPAC for lessons in Somaliland political orientation.

 

Anyways, I am glad you didnt come because ppl like you contribute nothing.

[Juxa]

it was good speech maxy. you are on your way to become next big thing is s-land.

 

Ngonge did you not get the invite even by mistake?

[Che -Guevara]

SPAC sent me messages everytime they hold an event , they must have confused me with somebody .