Somali National University
Description
About Somali National University
Established in 1954 within the Trust Territory of Somalia, the Somali National University (SNU) gained official university status in 1969, with its main campus named Jaamacada Gaheyr (“Gaheyr University”), situated approximately six kilometres from the city centre. Over the following decades, particularly under the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) in 1973, the university experienced significant expansion in programs and facilities. By the late 1980s, it boasted 13 departments, employed 700 staff members, and enrolled over 15,000 students. Moreover, through the Ministry of Higher Learning and Culture, the government established research centres across various cities to foster regional economic development, targeting employees from sectors like agriculture and forestry management ministries.
Courses Offered
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in:
- Agriculture
- Education
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Economics
- Political Science
- Literature and Languages
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Law
Master’s Courses:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Education Leadership and Administration
- Engineering (various specializations)
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Economics and Development Studies
- Political Science and International Relations
- Literature and Linguistics
- Social Sciences (including Sociology, Psychology, etc.)
- Natural Sciences (such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.)
- Law and Legal Studies
In the mid-1970s, Lafoole University’s teaching college transitioned into an independent institution known as “Lafoole Teacher’s College,” operating with English as the primary language of instruction. However, despite its growth and development, the university faced a tumultuous period in the early 1990s due to the onset of the civil war. The conflict inflicted extensive damage on university facilities and disrupted academic activities, ultimately suspending classes and challenges in obtaining essential resources like books.
