Situation
The most recent drought in the Horn of Africa has become prominent in the news in
recent weeks. In normal years, Somaliland and Somalia experience two rainy seasons,
around the months of May and September. The September 2016 rainy season completely
failed in most regions of the Horn of Africa, and this was the third season in a row of poor
or no rains. The crisis is therefore expected to reach its peak in March-May 2017 before -
hopefully - the rains will come again in May.
Estimates are that about 50% of the population of the Horn are nomadic or semi-nomadic
and heavily reliant on livestock. There have been some reports of human deaths in the
region. Moreover, local reports indicate that malnutrition is an increasing issue, especially
for people in the countryside. The most severe aspects of the drought, however, are the
lack of drinking water and the loss of livestock. According to local informants, the
majority of livestock (sheep, goats, camels) owned by nomads in the countryside have
either perished or had to be sold in order to buy water for families. A large number of
people in the countryside have lost their livelihoods.

 

The University of Burao (UoB) is a Community based Higher Education Institution established in 2004 in Burao, the Capital city of Togdheer Region in Somaliland.

Since its inception it succeeded in graduating hundreds of students from a variety of faculties such as the Faculty of Education, The Faculty of Sharea and Law, The Faculty of Animal Science, and The Faculty of Business Administration. The University of Burao started training Medical Students in 2010. The first doctors are expected to graduate in 2017. The Departments of Information and Computer Technology and Community Development were added in 2010. The University also started the "Top Up” Nursing Degree Program in 2013.

We just completed the construction of five additional classes, One Anatomy Laboratory and one office for the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.

The University was also successful in conducting a variety of Research Projects, such as The Milk Analysis Project, The Biogas Project and the Beeyo Project. These research projects are environmentally friendly and directly benefit the Community. If and when these projects are expanded they will benefit the Country at large.

The University of Burao is a Public Institution, which relies on the limited student tuition fees and the limited governmental subsidies for its operating cost. The Diaspora and to some extent the Business Community are the biggest supporters of the University. We are particularly indebted to Dahabshiil Group of Companies and Telesom for their substantial contributions to the progress and development of the University. We are also appreciative of all the other businesses and individuals that continue to support us.

Having said that, to provide quality education to our students through technologically advanced teaching methods and Research, highly qualified Professors and Lecturers, appropriate Facilities and an Environment which is conducive to learning, the University is in constant need for funding.

Our current top priorities for 2014 – 2015 which need to be funded are as follows:

1. To fully furnish the newly built classes.
2. To attract Lecturers with Masters and PHD Qualifications.
3. To provide Merit Scholarships to high achieving students as well as those from socially disadvantaged background. Please click here to view the details of our Scholarship Program.
4. To build and fully furnish additional Science Laboratories.
5. To enlarge the University’s transportation fleet to meet Students and Teachers needs

Therefore, we kindly ask Businesses, and individual citizens of Somaliland particularly citizens of Burao and Togdheer Region, who live inside or outside the country, to contribute financially or in kind to the progress and development of the University of Burao.

You may send your contributions through our Account in Dahabshiil Number 10966. Please e-mail us to let us know your contribution and provide us with your Full Name and Telephone Number.

We also welcome and highly value your ideas and suggestions. Please forward them to us at khadra@universityofburao.com

Thank you for your constant support and we welcome you to join "friends of the University of Burao”