Amoud University History and Background

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 organizations.

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 66 students in two faculties (Education and Business Administration), and 3 teachers. The University currently has a student population of 2504 enrolled in 9 faculties (including Medicine & Surgery), 130 teachers and a large library with up-to-date books. The first batch of Medical graduates came out on June 2007 and their final exams were 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 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.

Currently the university consists of nine faculties which offer bachelor degree, two years diploma and certificate programs: Faculty of Education, Faculty of Business and Public Administration, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Information System & Computing, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty of Dentistry. Each faculty formulates its academic program within the general regulation of the university and enjoys considerable amount of freedom over its internal affairs, including recommendations for the selection of faculty members.

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