University demolishes mogadishu green line

[Liqaye]

University Demolishes Mogadishu’s Green Line

 

JEDDAH, 1 December 2003 — Since the downfall of the military regime in 1991, Somalia has been divided into fiefdoms controlled by rival warlords who routinely demonstrated their reluctance to put the good of the country above their own individual lusts for power and control. During the civil war, all public and private properties were looted and destroyed. Hospitals and academic institutions were among the worst affected. As the only government-owned university, Somali National University was totally destroyed.

 

Now that peace has returned, Somali intellectuals have established a new non-governmental university. Mogadishu University, officially opened on Sept. 22, 1997, is governed by a board of trustees and a university council.

 

Dr. Ali Sh. Ahmed Abubakar, the rector, said the aim was to provide opportunities for students to complete their education at a low cost. “Many secondary schools have been set up during the last twelve years. Students need post-secondary education and at present, the university has five faculties: Islamic Law, Education, Languages, Economics and Computer Science. The university grants both BA and B.Sc. degrees. The charge for each student is less than $400 a year. This has resulted in many students who formerly had to go abroad remaining in the country.”

 

Dr. Abubakar said that the university had hired former Somali university professors and professionals, including lecturers from Egypt, Sudan, India and Kenya.

 

Speaking about the university, he said, “After comparing the curriculums of various African and Arab Universities, we adopted a tough one which meant the university acquired a good reputation from regional and international organizations. It has good relationships with universities in Africa, Asia, and the Islamic world. More than 300 students who have graduated from the university have gone on to post-graduate education at various universities.”

 

Asked about insecurity in Mogadishu, the rector said there were no threats from the warlords. “Some of the warlords’ children are at the university. I can say the university has already succeeded in demolishing the green line which divided Mogadishu. Students come from every part of the city. We have also established an Institute for Somali Studies and a Center for Continued Education which coordinates symposiums, workshops and debates on peace.”