Somali National University
Description
About Somali National University
Founded in 1954 within the Trust Territory of Somalia, Somali National University (SNU) officially gained university status in 1969. Its main campus, Jaamacada Gaheyr (“Gaheyr University”), is located just six kilometers from the city center. The university flourished in the following decades, particularly under the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) in 1973, experiencing remarkable growth in both academic programs and facilities. By the late 1980s, SNU had expanded to include 13 departments, employed over 700 staff members, and enrolled more than 15,000 students. The government also set up research centers across various cities, promoting regional economic development and serving sectors such as agriculture and forestry management.
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, the Lafoole University teaching college became an independent institution known as “Lafoole Teacher’s College,” offering courses in English. Despite its rapid expansion, the university’s growth was disrupted by the civil war in the early 1990s. The conflict caused significant damage to SNU’s infrastructure, halted academic activities, and led to severe shortages in resources such as textbooks, forcing the suspension of classes.
