Mogadishu, Somalia – The Head of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mahamuud Moalim, on Monday attended the graduation ceremony of 172 students at Erdogan University in Mogadishu, praising the occasion as a major milestone for Somalia’s growing professional capacity in critical sectors.
Among the graduates were young professionals who specialized in health sciences and disaster management—fields Moalim said are “vital to Somalia’s future” as the country continues to navigate the impacts of climate shocks, recurring humanitarian crises, and fragile health infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, Moalim congratulated the graduates and emphasized that their newly acquired skills come at a crucial time for the country.
“Somalia is in urgent need of well-trained experts who can respond to emergencies, protect public health, and contribute to national resilience,” he said.
He also thanked the government and people of Türkiye for their longstanding support to Somalia’s development and education sectors.
“Türkiye has consistently stood with Somalia during difficult times and has invested in our future through institutions like Erdogan University. This is a testament to our strong bilateral partnership,” he added.
Erdogan University, funded and supported by Türkiye, has emerged as one of the leading higher education institutions in Somalia, offering programs in medicine, engineering, education, and emergency response. Monday’s graduation marks another cohort of professionals entering Somalia’s workforce amid efforts by the federal government to localize expertise and reduce dependency on foreign technical assistance.
The event was attended by Turkish officials, university faculty, students’ families, and senior Somali government representatives. It concluded with a call for graduates to commit themselves to national service and humanitarian values.