GCUA 2030 welcomes a new member!

Hi Yusuf! Please tell us a little about your university.

Amoud University (AU) is the oldest and most prestigious university in Somaliland and Somalia, established in 1997 as a pioneering, national community-based institution. It emerged following the collapse of the Somali state, inheriting the legacy of Amoud Secondary School (est. 1952) to fill a critical void in higher education. Located in the Amoud Valley in Borama, Awdal region, AU has grown from a humble start with 3 teachers and 66 students into a comprehensive public university.

Today, AU enrolls over 6,000 students across 15 different schools and faculties, offering more than 57 diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs plus online platform in postgraduates’ studies and research. It operates on three main campuses and is deeply committed to its vision of being a center of excellence in education, community services and research in the Horn of Africa, and a pioneer in promoting understanding and peace. Our mission is to significantly contribute to the development of Somali people through rigorous liberal education, emphasizing transferable skills, professional preparation, and a strong commitment to research and community service, as encapsulated in our motto: "Educate (teach/learn), service community and Research." We are particularly focused on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our teaching, research, and extensive community engagement, especially in fragile and pastoral contexts.

How can your university contribute to the GCUA 2030 network?

Amoud University is eager and well-positioned to make significant contributions to the GCUA 2030 network, leveraging our unique experiences, established strengths, and specific commitments:

• Sharing Expertise from a Post-Conflict, Resource-Constrained Context: Our journey in rebuilding and thriving in a post-conflict setting provides invaluable, practical knowledge in sustainable development, community resilience, and accessible education that can benefit network members facing similar challenges.
• Hosting and Co-organizing Impactful Regional Initiatives: We are prepared to host and co-organize regional workshops, webinars, and field-based learning exchanges focusing on critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, dryland farming systems, public health, climate resilience, and indigenous knowledge systems relevant to the Horn of Africa.
• Facilitating Collaborative Research and Capacity Building:
• We can offer access to unique research sites and community-based learning platforms in Somaliland for collaborative GCUA 2030 research projects.
• We are keen to facilitate joint research publications and PhD supervision partnerships within SDG-focused thematic areas.
• Leveraging our growing portfolio of international collaborations (e.g., Dalarna University, Kings College London, LSE, Charles University, University of Liverpool etc.), we can contribute to the exchange of PhD students, faculty, and joint research initiatives, enhancing capacity building for early-career researchers in sustainability science.
• Strengthening Academic–Humanitarian Partnerships: We can actively contribute to initiatives like the Working Group on Academic–Humanitarian Partnerships, sharing our model of connecting research with real-world response in fragile settings, particularly our work in strengthening social services through community-based, culturally grounded approaches.
• Disseminating Policy-Relevant Knowledge: We commit to supporting the development and dissemination of policy-relevant knowledge derived from GCUA research outputs to local governments and institutions in Somaliland and the wider region.
• Advancing Technological Applications: We are eager to collaborate on the development and application of emerging technologies, such as AI and GIS, for sustainable development solutions.
• Championing Global Learning for Future Leaders: We will actively participate in global learning forum programs on sustainability, especially those aimed at PhD students, to help cultivate the next generation of academic leaders.

How can the GCUA 2030 network contribute to strengthening your university’s work within sustainable development?

Amoud University views the GCUA 2030 network as a vital partner in significantly strengthening and scaling our work within sustainable development. The network can contribute by:

• Enhancing PhD and Early-Career Researcher Capacity: The network is an ideal platform to further enhance capacity building for our early-career researchers, faculty staff, and PhD students in sustainability science and interdisciplinary research, aligning with our commitment to developing international PhD networks. This includes access to specialized training, mentorship, and international exchange opportunities.
• Expanding International Research Collaborations and Funding:
• Providing opportunities for joint research projects on sustainable development themes with a wider range of global partners, allowing AU to access new methodologies, perspectives, and potential funding streams (e.g., Horizon Europe, Erasmus+).
• Helping us "expand its impact, scale innovations through global partnerships, and contribute to cutting-edge interdisciplinary knowledge," especially in our key SDG focus areas (Zero Hunger, Good Health, Climate Action, Clean Water/Energy, Gender Equality, Partnerships).
• Facilitating Knowledge Exchange and Best Practices in SDG Integration:
• Offering a platform to learn from international best practices in curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and institutional strategies for embedding sustainable development across all university functions.
• Sharing innovative approaches to applying emerging technologies (like AI and GIS) to sustainable development challenges.
• Strengthening Academic-Humanitarian Linkages: Collaborating with institutions like SLU and other global platforms within the network can bolster our Academic-Humanitarian Partnerships, helping us to further embed humanitarian principles within academic frameworks for sustainable, inclusive, and equity-focused impact.
• Increasing Global Visibility and Impact: Elevating the visibility of AU’s research and community engagement on a global stage, attracting further collaborations and support for our initiatives in Somaliland and the Horn of Africa.
• Supporting Policy Engagement: The network's collective voice and evidence-based research can strengthen AU's capacity to influence national and regional policies promoting sustainable development.
• Access to Diverse Expertise: Providing access to a broader pool of interdisciplinary expertise from member universities, enriching our research and educational programs.

 Thank you and once again, welcome!

Prepared by: Yusuf Hared, Amoud University Focal point