University of Hargeisa


The University of Hargeisa is a public university located in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. The institution was founded in 2000.
The current president of the University is Dr Mohamud Yousuf Muse, who holds a PhD in Education from the International Islamic University in Malaysia. The university was previously led by other well-known Somali scholars, including Professor Hussein A. Bulhan, a graduate of Harvard University.
The university has over 7,000 students, and operates on a four to six years system. It is the leading and largest higher education institution in the country and provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in different fields. Since its establishment, the university has collaborated with many academic and international partners in different capacities, including UCL, King's College, Harvard University, UCSI, International University of Africa and other local universities in the horn of Africa.
Notable alumni of the university include the current president of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi and the first National Deputy Prosecutor in Somaliland Khadra Hussein Mohammad. The university has also an annual honorary doctorate award to the outstanding members of the community, the first of which was awarded to Abdi Waraabe.

Schools and colleges

The university consists of 14 different colleges, schools and institutes, which offer different undergraduate and postgraduate programs:
The university offers postgraduate programs, including postgraduate diploma and master's, in the following areas:
International Relations and DiplomacyDuration: 2 years
Governance and LeadershipDuration: 2 years
Development StudiesDuration: 2 years
Project Planning and ManagementDuration: 2 years
Public Health and NutritionDuration: 2 years
Educational Leadership & MgtDuration: 2 years
Reproductive HealthDuration: 2 years
OphthalmologyDuration: 2 years

Institute for Peace & Conflict Studies

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies was established in February 2008.
Graduates include Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah, former Vice President of Somaliland; Musa Bihi Abdi, current president of the Republic of Somaliland and Chairman of the ruling party Kulmiye; and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, former Speaker of the Somaliland House of Representatives and the Chairman of Waddani Party.
The IPCS offers two locally reputable master's degrees: a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Master of arts in Education, Conflict & Peace Building.

College of Medicine & Health Science

The College of Medicine & Health Science is part of the university.

Teaching staff

The university has a wide number of academics in all its faculties. Around 60 percent of the staff were PhD and master's holders in the academic year 2017/2018.