By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu; 16 September 2026 Zamzam University has partnered with the Somali National Association of the Deaf (SONAD) to expand access to higher education and skills training for Somalia's deaf community.
The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday that provides for cooperation in inclusive education, research, skills development and the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The agreement comes as deaf people and other students with disabilities in Somalia face barriers including a shortage of trained teachers, limited sign-language services and facilities not equipped to meet their needs.
UNICEF has said children with disabilities also face low public awareness, limited classroom support and inadequate infrastructure. The agency estimates that 4.9 million Somali children between the ages of five and 17 are out of school.
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SONAD said the partnership would help increase the participation of deaf people in higher education, research and technology.
Zamzam University said the agreement would create new opportunities to support education, innovation and the empowerment of deaf communities.
Somalia does not have recent national data showing the number of deaf people or their level of access to higher education.