Mogadishu, – Somali President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has formally appointed Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed (PhD) as the new President of the Somali National University (SNU), the country’s premier public institution of higher learning.
The presidential decree confirmed Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed as the new head of SNU, a move the presidency described as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen Somalia’s higher education sector.
Dr. Mohamed brings both deep academic expertise and extensive administrative experience to the role. President Hassan Sheikh expressed confidence that he will “fulfill his responsibilities with integrity and commitment” while advancing efforts to enhance the quality, credibility, and standards of higher education in Somalia.
The Somali National University holds symbolic and practical importance in Somalia’s nation-building process. Once considered one of the leading universities in Africa before the civil war, SNU has in recent years been slowly rebuilt as a flagship institution for Somali education and research.
By appointing a new leader with strong academic credentials, the government is signaling its intent to restore SNU’s role as a center of excellence for learning, governance, and innovation.
Since its reopening in 2014 after decades of closure, SNU has faced challenges in funding, infrastructure, and faculty development. However, it remains central to Somalia’s education reform agenda, serving thousands of students across multiple faculties.
Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud’s appointment marks the start of a new chapter for the Somali National University. As Somalia pushes to modernize its education system and meet international standards, the leadership of SNU will play a critical role in shaping the country’s future workforce and intellectual capital.