About UNS

1. Introduction

University of Northeastern Somalia (UNS) is a new community of scholarship and learning that stands for the nation’s service and the service of humanity. The educational mission of UNS is to prepare students to pursue meaningful scholarship and professional lives, thus helping address the challenges of our future and that of the generations to come. To this end, UNS aims to enroll the most capable students from all parts of Somalia and to provide them with an educational experience that strengthens their intellects, sharpens their skills, expands their horizons, and prepares them for leadership and research— all while pursuing the highest possible standards of excellence. UNS will serve as the missing link between theory and practice that other higher education institutions in Puntland failed to provide. While several degree-granting universities exist in Puntland, none came close to addressing the scholarship and professional quality concerns that Puntlanders have been asking lately.

Puntland is a vibrant state, a leader of the new Somalia, and a hub of the regional economy. However, existing models of higher education are not fully meeting the needs of tomorrow’s scientists, leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Recognizing that trends in technology and globalization have altered the Horn of Africa regional economy and democracy, a new academic response that can align the current economic demands with the right skills is necessary. The distinctiveness of UNS will be based on this focus: meeting marketable skills with new method of teaching and scholarships for Puntlanders. 

UNS establishes itself to respond practically to the debate of quality education in Somalia in general, and Puntland in particular. UNS plans to build its raison d’être around the measurability of quality and sustainability of life skills that are integral to the economy of the 21st century.

1.1 Academic Rationale

Professional education is always driven by practical societal needs that at times seem paradoxical to the understanding of excellence in scholarship. Further, these needs can be connected to deeper concerns, that a pure academic inquiry in which the professions of public administration and social work have their roots in human evolution. Certainly, academic inquiry in the social sciences is driven by interest in practical issues as much as by the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. 

UNS’s educational response to the needs of modern human evolution is simple: professionalization and specialization of scholarship-oriented education where the curriculum is systematized and degrees conform to the sense of quality that ensures the foundation for human and social progress. In this endeavor, UNS will emphasize the basic intellectual tools of statistics and the psychology of public administration.

There is a demand for a new philosophy of creating knowledge and practical applications of theory. This demand calls for higher education institutions to establish research-focused education which prepares students to think critically and create new frontiers of knowledge products, technologies, and human resources across industries and occupations. Contextually, only new frontiers of knowledge creation can ensure competitive advantage for both known and unforeseen economic and leadership priorities of Puntland.  

1.2 Uniqueness

UNS is unique in its commitment to teaching and research, providing learning opportunities both within and outside of the classroom. All academic programs of UNS are designed to prepare students for quasi-scientific careers. That is, all UNS courses have a research minor component to them, and graduates will be versed with the nuts and bolts of research, in addition to the subject matter majors. Under the banner of this uniqueness, we propose to establish a higher education institution that taps into the gap between quality and innovative education. Specifically, UNS will provide:

1. World-class education and research in the heart of Puntland
2. Innovations in research and social entrepreneurship methods to serve the evolving needs of students, the region, and Puntland State in the coming decades.

Whether through independent study, student-initiated seminars, or lectures in emerging fields, UNS’s dynamic academic programs have the flexibility to shape students by preparing them for leadership and greater-than-lives service. To that end, courses offered are bent to observe the following:

• Knowledge Intensive Services: The globalization of work and evolution of comparative advantage have moved jobs toward particular kinds of services, and increasingly toward “high-end,” knowledge-intensive jobs. 

• Leadership across borders: Effective administrative leadership balances the need for stability within organizational systems, with the requirement for flexibility and responsiveness. The phenomena of dramatically increased globalization and heightened pace of change placed increased and unique demands for scholar leaders who can create opportunities within their sphere of work. Fast-paced need for uniquely positioned leaders raises the stakes for awareness and responsiveness, hence the creation of UNS. Contemporary and future leaders will require new kinds of training and understanding to navigate these challenges.

• Creativity and Innovativeness: The way NSU is structured is enshrined with creativity and innovation. Innovative solutions are essential in dynamic and competitive global environments and only an innovative mix of knowledge and practice can better deliver that promise. On the one hand, this is consistent with the entrepreneurial nature of UNS. On the other hand, the demand for decision-making in unfamiliar contexts creates UNS’s position challenges. 

There are key points to emphasize on the quality of the educational opportunities in Puntland. First, Puntland is already facing a shortage of graduate-level scientist workforce that can conceive social and public development programs through research and innovation. Second, an essential aspect of the success of Puntland is the ability of its citizens to lead in research, administration, and innovation in the coming decades and to convey confidence to the rest of the world. In other words, giving the UNS a more prominent physical presence in Puntland ensures that research-driven innovations and skills get amplified nationally and globally. 

2. Direction and priorities

2.1 Mission

UNS’s mission is to provide quality academic programs and experiences in Somalia by fostering a supportive and inclusive foundation that helps develop well-rounded public affairs professionals who can contribute positively to state-building through a scientific approach. 

2.2 Vision

A quality education that provides all learners with the capabilities they require to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to democratic societies, and enhance individual well-being.

2.3 Principles

• TRANSPARENCY. We share information, are open and honest about decisions and actions, and provide explanations.
• COMMITMENT. We do what we say we are going to do, are dedicated to the mission, and are fully engaged and present. 
• COLLABORATION. We are team players. We listen to the concerns of our community, volunteer, and jump in to help. We look beyond ourselves, work across units, and understand where intersections are. 
• ENGAGEMENT. We actively listen and remain present. We are aware and considerate of someone’s big picture. We show up and step in.
• RELIABLE. We are accountable for accomplishing our work. We attend meetings, meet deadlines, or let each other know when we are not able to do so. 
• RESPECTFUL. We treat others, their time, and information with respect. We listen actively and without judgment, and adhere to the golden rule: Treat others as you would want to be treated. We act as role models for the institution and its mission, for our office, and for our students.

2.4 Priority

UNS’s priority is to develop and maintain quality research-focused programs that will in turn help produce competent professionals who can leave a lasting mark on the trajectory of state-building. Students at the UNS are strongly encouraged to broaden their scientific study through research opportunities in and outside the university. To ensure that students gain the necessary research and scholarship skills, the university will emphasize internships in national public agencies like ministries and other directorates. The quality and conciseness of programs will expose students to expand their horizons and pursue a meaningful academic and professional life.