By Shire Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, July 27, 2026 – The first group of students ever sent abroad by Hormuud University are spending their final days in Mogadishu ahead of a one-month academic exchange programme at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) in Malaysia.
University officials held a send-off ceremony for the students on Sunday as part of final preparations before they join UniMAP’s International Student Hosting Programme.
Hormuud University President Prof. Dr. Abdi Omar Shuriye said the programme marks the university’s first effort to send students abroad and is aimed at strengthening academic cooperation with UniMAP.
"This is a historic step for Hormuud University," Shuriye said. "We are investing in our students to gain practical experience in laboratories and academic environments abroad."
The initiative will give students hands-on training in engineering laboratories and exposure to Malaysia’s academic system.
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Khalid Abdi Dhowre, one of the selected students, said the opportunity would help broaden his experience.
"Today is a very joyful day for me because I have become one of the students fortunate enough to take part in this programme, where universities exchange students so they can share experiences," Dhowre said.
University officials said the partnership with UniMAP is part of broader efforts to expand international academic cooperation and provide students with professional experience outside Somalia.