Somali Young Women Leadership Scholarships

PRESS RELEASE

Mogadishu University is the premier non-state university in Somalia dedicated to providing affordable and accessible high quality education. It aims to instil hope in Somali society impaired by the collapsed state institutions due to prolonged civil war. It's also dedicated to educating generations committed to peace, good governance and community services.

On 22 nd of September, Mogadishu University celebrated 10 years of successful achievements in the midst of the civil war. During this period, besides establishing its own campus, 5283 students have enrolled in the 7 undergraduate faculties (male 4015, female 1296) and 1002 graduated (male 810, female 192). Moreover, in the last 10 years, the university granted 1525 scholarships provided for by various institutions and individuals.

Because of wide disparity in terms of male-female student ratio, MU established a special scholarship for female students besides the general scholarship for all students. This scholarship " Young Women Leadership Scholarship " aims to empower women by offering scholarships to gifted female students at MU; female students that show excellence in their higher education performance while it's designed to produce competitive women at the leadership level as well a competitive women for the labour market.

Today, we are launching a national campaign targeting 1000 scholarships for female students in the academic year 2007-2008 in order to reach the goal of increasing female enrolment at the university by up to 40% within the next 5 years.

In light of the above:

• We call on all Somali people, in particular the business community, Diaspora, and civil society organizations to participate in this noble cause and to support women's higher education programs. Particular attention should be given to the promotion of leadership role of women in the society.
• We call on all Somali institutions of higher education to establish similar scholarship fund for female students and to raise the awareness of society to the vitality of the educated women in promoting peace, development and social welfare.
• We call on all international NGO's, UN agencies and donor community to include in their priorities higher education programs in Somalia and to provide more financial and moral support to the higher education for women. We believe that this is the only way that Somali women can participate effectively as leaders in all aspects of the society.

Finally, Mogadishu University expresses its deepest gratitude to all those who participated in realizing these achievement be it students, faculty members, the donor community and the Somali people everywhere.

May Allah reward us and bestow His Mercy and forgiveness

8 Dec 2007, Hilton Nairobi