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Government and Public Support
GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT
Both
the central government and the local government support for this valuable project were strong and visible throughout the application
process period. The Minister of Education, Youth and Sports and the Governor
and Mayor of Hargeisa had both spearheaded a campaign of support for the boarding school project and provided the school a
recommendation letter and a letter of intent to offer land respectively. An application to register the Boarding Secondary
School as well as the Day Secondary School was submitted to the Ministry
of Education in the name of Hargeisa Boarding Secondary School and Hargeisa Secondary School and both were approved with excitement
and pleasure. The Ministry of Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction who owned the site, which the school was given,
had enthusiastically accepted the recommendations of the Minister of
Education and the Mayor of Hargeisa and donated the site to Hargeisa Boarding Secondary School. This high level of government
support was engendered by the general public’s wide, continuous, and persistent promotion
for this timely project. As a result of all these efforts, the Municipality of Hargeisa had issued the
land permits to take over the site. Through out the school promotion period, the general public had shown a solid harmonious
support for the school. Parents, educationists, community elders, members
of both houses of the parliament, local and international relief organizations, and cabinet Ministries have all publicly endorsed
the establishment of the previously proposed Boarding Secondary
School.
Due to the large increase in the establisment of both public and
private Secondary Schools, a new aganda of turning the campus into a college that offers programs addressing the needs of
the region was adopted. The role of this college is two fold: (1) provide college preparation studies that will increase participants’
academic skills, and (2) offer dynamic, student centered, comprehensive, and accessible educational programs that address
the diverse needs of the society. Obviously, one major advantage form such institution is its contribution to the educational
development of the returnees children and those from the Diaspora whom a great number of them encountered difficulties in
their studies, which resulted high drop out rates in both Western Europe and North America. The College was upgraded
to a University and became Gollis University.
| Minister of Planning Visit |
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| The Minister of Planning is committed to the success of the College Goals |
Minister for National Planning appeals International Organizations to support Gollis
College
In connection with
its aims and dreams, Gollis College’s first
“Take it Locally Global” fundraising event was held on the 15th of February, 2005 at Maansoor Hotel, Hargeisa, with the UN Agencies and International Non-Governmental Organizations
(INGO). With the cooperation of the Ministry of National Planning and Coordination and The Ministry of Education, the
wonderful “Gollis College” fundraising team have worked day and night from the beginning of January for the preparation
of the first “1st phase project completion”. Because the invitees were representing the International
Non-Governmental Organizations including the UN agencies at the local level, the theme given to the fundraising campaign event
was “Take it Locally Global”. The session presentation aim was to inspire, inform,
and involve the INGOs with activities completing the 1st phase of the project.
The fundraising group
has done a fantastic job and we are very pleased in having such enthusiastic and accomplished fundraisers as well as senior
Ministerial level supporters who worked tirelessly for this memorable occasion. Another year has started realizing that the
Gollis College opening day is getting nearer each day and we have to work determinedly to realize that milestone. Though little
bit behind schedule, we had a wonderful start in Maansoor, Hargeisa. Hats off to all who participated in the session! All
guests were greeted in side the session hall and seated at the specific seats arranged for them. The pleasant environment and well prepared presentations impressed the invited members and enabled them
to actively participate through out the session.
The
program started with the following schedule:
10:00 - 10:05
Opening
Hassan Olaad
10:05 – 10:15 1st Key Note Speech
Hon. Ismail
Mohamed
10:15 – 10:25 A
Word from the Governor
Mr. Abdillahi Ismail (Ciro)
10:25 – 11:45 Gollis
Presentation
Dr. Saeed Ahmed
10:45 – 10:55 A
Word from MOP
Hon. Ahmed H. Dahir
10:55 – 11:25 Open
Discussion
Participants
10:25 – 11:50 Coffee
Brake
The majority of UN agencies and International organizations with base offices in Hargeisa have participated in the
meeting. Presentation of the finished phase I composed of 50% of the campus building has been comprehensively delivered in
updated methods, documented and visual by the Director of the Gollis
Technical College –
Dr. Saeed Ahmed Hassan. Remaining Phase II of the college establishment and related premises has been highlighted and relevant
immediate needs focused on the compiled and delivered documentation to all participants.
The
conference was officially attended by Hon. Ahmed Dahir Elmi – Ministry for Planning & Coordination, Hon. Ismail
Mohumed Madar – Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Abdilahi Ismail Ali ( Cirro) – Governor of Hargeisa Region,
and Mr. Yusuf Warsame Saeed – an Architect and special envoy from the Mayor of Hargeisa as well as significant representatives
and dignitaries of the civil society such as LIVE – Local NGO based in Hargeisa and involved Vocational & Technical
Education and International Educational Foundation.
Major Un-agencies and International organizations strongly represented and documented in the meeting included UNDP,
UN-OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, and DRC, SC-Denmark, SC-UK, SC-US
The Director of the Gollis College explained
that the college will be equiped with boarding facilities offering students state of the art Housing, Food, Library, Internet,
and sports facilities required for achieving high quality academic experience to enable them accommodated there. The poly-technic
College is intended to offer a substantial number of students graduating from secondary schools, prospective trade areas of
Vocational & technical education in higher level, based on market oriented disciplines addressing the needs of this country.
Dr Saeed stressed that the college will give quality education to enable students become productive and face the world of
work competently.
The students will be qualified for the on-going efforts of rehabilitation and development in Somaliland. In this regard, the College will play in significant role in combating unemployment and hence
improve the livelihoods of the community. Emphasis will be put on market oriented academic programs and skills contributing to the self sufficiency of the new born nation.
Faculty
education areas will be set to pursue objectives of combating gender disparity. The College will enable women to share participation
in equal opportunity for intake endorsement.
The
presentation session was followed by the Governor of Hargeisa region- Mr. Abdilahi Ismail( Cirro) who gave a brief speech
for the establishment and implementation of the Gollis technical college. He said, he believes the project will play an important
role in development and socio-economic set up of the country in general and his region in particular.
The
deputy Minister for Education - Hon. Ismail Mohumed Madar explained how the education requirements has been preceded and developed
in the post war era, indicating that rapid changes are already taking place. At this point in time, he said, it is part of
the education policy to encourage implementation of effective vocational and technical education; and the establishment of
Gollis College will enable us realize these objectives.
Then the Minister for national Planning and Coordination, Hon. Ahmed H. Dahir Elmi gave his concise speech for the
occasion. He acknowledged that it is a government policy to encourage non-public higher education institutions. He said that,
“he was impressed with the achievements and the accomplishments of this college”. “I have seen the enormous
and tangible contribution to developing the most needed technical education which the Gollis College venture reflects” he added. The Hon. Minister urged support
for the establishment of this great noble project, emphasizing that it is obligatory for the government and International
organizations to participate and share contributions for the yet remaining components of the College as has been indicated
in the presentation.
The Minister affirmed that the establishment of Gollis
College is in line with the set strategy of the state as a priority. “Therefore,
it is the duty of all us to facilitate an immediate support in the realization of this viable project”, he stressed.
The Minister for planning clarified that the motive of holding this conference was to secure assistance from the International
organizations in this venture. “Such a support will result completion of the Gollis Poly-technic College earlier”,
he concluded.
After this, an open discussion took place in which the participants’ representations of the international organizations
raised relevant questions and then comments. The Director of the college answered the questions accordingly. The response from the international organizations who attended the event was very enthusiastic
and overwhelming. The Gollis College team expressed the challenges we anticipate encountering with in 2005. We were happy to say
the event ended with optimism about immediate future fundraising efforts and we feel that it was a success. In this manner, the meeting was closed in high spirit. Consideration of providing support
for the remaining scope of works was well-taken by all participants and the college expects the response due time.
Thanks
to all who help support this noble project.
Director's Speach on the Event
Welcome to the Gollis College’s first development Campaign. I'd like to take a moment to tell you a little about what I see as the College's
current status as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead.
As a greater majority
of the militias' who were involved in the civil war were youth younger than 24 years, the younger generations of the population
(youth, adolescents, and children) are the most vulnerable group that requires education. Proper education will persuade these
age groups to exchange the trouble, anger, murder and destruction of infrastructure for peace participation in the society.
Proper education will no doubt advance these young men to political and economic leadership and will contribute to the development
of this country. Proper education here means relevant Applied Arts and Technology education that address the needs of this
society. This kind of education is the decisive agent for the development and nurture of the region's future human resources.
Only modern
Junior Technical Colleges that offer their students an atmosphere where respect and responsibility are evidenced by all members
of the college community can educate their students to high levels of academic performance and will promote positive growth
in social/emotional behaviors and attitudes. We believe that the new "Golis College" (now under construction) will be
one of the most competitive local colleges that will offer comprehensive educational programs that address the needs of the
region. The role of this college is two fold: (1) provide college preparation studies that will increase participants’
academic skills, and (2) offer dynamic, student centered, comprehensive, and accessible educational programs that address
the diverse needs of the society. Obviously, one major advantage form such institution is its contribution to the educational
development of the returnees children and those from the Diaspora whom a great number of them encountered difficulties in
their studies, which resulted high drop out rates in both Western Europe and North America.
Since the middle
of the last decade, many educationists, parents, and concerned citizens have yearned for a high quality educational institution
prepares students for college entrance and at the same time offer college level relevant college programs. Time and again
many secondary schools have been established in the country, but the majority of these schools are below the internationally
recognized academic standards. Thus, the time has come to complete the great "Gollis College Campus". The campus occupies a beautiful
hill top L-shaped plot of 1km sq and is designed by professional educationists, engineers and architects. Indeed, the college
is a logical and compelling extension of the founder’s vision and the society’s educational needs. More over,
Golis will introduce innovative teaching-learning approaches.
As one of the initiators of this noble vision and one of its founders, to-day
with all the honourable Ministers - The Minister of Education and the Minister of National Planning and Coordination, as well
as the Mayor of Hargeisa, the Governor of Hargeisa, and the distinguished officers from the UN agancies and other International
Organizations participating in this session, I have reason to associate the time ahead of us with hope & change. Change
for the better. Change in providing enlightenment and enrichment to our younger generations. Fortunately, with all the distinguished
members participating in this session we enter this new era heartened by your involvement with the completion of this project.
The people involved in the development of the Gollis College campus brought to a splendid level that you can
see from the literature that we distributed and the slides we will show you, and you can get more information from the college
Web Site: www.golliscollege.com
As you explore the hand outs and the web, I sincerely believe that
you will discover the outstanding dedicated "people" who brought the campus with
the little resources available from nothing to the stage that you will witness from the pictures on the screen. We are planning to
opening this noble College by September, 2005 in Hargeisa, Somaliland .
Gollis College has adopted
programs and goals designed to go hand-in-hand with the its mission as a two-year post secondary institution. The services
and programs which Gollis College will offer
will enhance the quality of learning and living for students, faculty, and staff, and support and encourage advancement in
the country.
Gollis College is Somaliland's first most comprehensive junior
college with boarding facilities. The college will offer associate degrees in mainly the fields of health, technology, agriculture,
and the environment.
Gollis College will prepare talent seeking individuals, for their
new roles in a rapidly changing world. Gollis is going to be great because of its dedicated faculty, its teaching methods
and resource centers, and its innovative approaches. We are preparing Gollis to be the best choice for the prospective
students, parents, stakeholders, and community leaders. Gollis College will introduce programs addressing
the needs of this great country in innovative ways.
While the long-term challenges are notable, we are nonetheless encouraged by a significant list
of fund-raising opportunities that exist and could be exploited. For example, a great bulk of the funds used in building some
of the facilities was raised by the Somaliland Diaspora
members. We have scheduled fundraising campaign events in both Europe and North America which will take place soon. So our morale is high to-day.
It has to be so. While diverse challenges confront the college with respect to its funding, it is crucial that we receive
a beautiful fiscal support from you all in a timely manner so that the college, the community, as well as the hosting Ministies
can realize the goal of opening this college.
“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something
tomorrow.” O.S. Marden.
What are the symbols of hope
in your life and how can you be a symbol of hope in the lives of others? "This cocountry needs support
and our younger generations need hope.”
Ladies and genetlemen, today I am askig you to
consider symbols that represent hope in Somaliland. For us and in this occasion, Gollis College is a place that
will open up possibilities, opportunities and the love of learning to our younger
generations. Think of the beautiful gift of a scholarship to a gifted child from a poor family in Somaliland. It will enable
that individual to the opportunity to get a college degree and that someone cares about him/her. For people across our nation and the globe, hope is symbolized by the knowledge and the skills gained from
institutions such as the Gollis College. For many young individuals and families in this country, hope is represented by how Gollis College is responding to
their educational needs and how at the same time the knowledge and the skills they gain is addressing the needs of this great
country.
I come across some of these gifted young individuals and/or their parents or friends enquiring about the
openning of this college and admiring the academic opportunities that will be available to them. Today, I am asking you ladies
and gentlemen to commit your self and to think about how you can help?
“We
appeal to you to give your time, your talent and of course your treasure. It’s important that you double your efforts
now more than ever in this country especially in the field of education. Opening your heart to this noble project is the starting
point to your time, your talent and your treasure. The completion of this noble project is truly in our hands.”
I remain ready to answer
any question that you may have.
| Gollis College Project Presentation To UN & INGOs |
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| Fund Rasing Event at Maansoor Hotel hosted by the Ministries of Planning and Education |
| Minister of Planning, Vice Min. of Ed. Gov. Harg |
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| Minister of Planning, Vice Minister of Ed., Gov. of Hargeisa, & Mayor's Rep. addressing the INGOs |
Recently the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Water
and Mineral Resources, the chief of the Somaliland Police, The head of Hargeisa Region Police, The Director General of the
Ministry of Interior, and Senior Community leader visited the new Gollis College campus. Both the Minister of nterior and
the Minister of water and Minerals as well as the Police chief were dedicated to support the College in realizing its objectives.
Delegation photograph is shown below.
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| A High Government Delegation Visiting the Campus |
| Hargeisa Mayor & Vice Mayor visiting the campus |
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| Mayor and Vice Mayor Visiting the Campus |
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The Mayor of Hargeisa and his Assistant were very delighted
with the magnitude, scope and aims of this noble project and promised to assist in setting up the campus sports playgrounds
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| UK Minister for Intern'l Dvlop With Gollis FR Team |
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| The Minister addressed the event audience |
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| His Excellancy, Hon. G. Thomas spoke to the Somaliland Diaspora in London |
| Mayor of Hargeisa Addressing Bristol City FR Event |
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| Mayor of Hargeisa Addressing Bristol City Gollis College Fundraising Event |
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On
Saturday April 30 2005, a fund raising event for “Gollis College
Recently,
“Gollis College”, a new Technical/Vocational College that is being built near Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland,
launched its first “Take it Global” fund raising campaign in England, UK. On Saturday April 30, 2005 a fundraising
event was held in the City of Bristol. The Mayor of Hargeisa, his Excellency Eng. Hussein Jieer who participated in the event,
spoke to the audience. The Mayor, who visited the College campus, which is under construction now, emphasized the importance
and the need for supporting this noble project. The mayor then briefed the audience about questions they raised with respect
to the current land disputes and conflicts in the country, particularly in Hargeisa. The Somaliland Diaspora in Bristol who
was the event target group attended the event.
On Sunday 1st May 2005, another “Take it Global”
fundraising event took place in Harrow Municipality (North London). The UK Minister for International Development, the right
honorable Mr. G. Thomas accompanied by the Acting Mayor of Harrow, Mr. Asad Omar and Councilor Ms. Nana Asante and Somaliland
Community leader Hanan Abby. Gareth Thomas current Labor MP for
Harrow West seeking re-election. He is also a Minister for International Development with responsibility for Asia,
the Caribbean and Latin America. He is a very committed and approachable MP who has served the Black and Minority
Ethnic Community extremely well during his time at Westminster. One of the many things that Gareth did last year, for
example, was to organize a presentation to the Harrow Community by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office so that residents in
Harrow concerned about visas for family in the Diaspora could discuss these issues. Before the Minister addressed the Somaliland Community members attending the meeting, Dr. Saeed raised
Somaliland’s urgent need for a formal recognition from the British government who ruled the country before independence.
His Excellency - the Minister confirmed that there are members of the British parliament who are committed to that matter
and who are constantly advocating for the recognition of Somaliland by the Government of Britain. His excellency - the Minister,
affirmed that he is in favor of formal recognition for the Republic of Somaliland and that he will from now on promote the
recognition concept with his colleagues in the parliament and in the British government. The Minister stressed also that Britain
would support the development of Somaliland.
Dr.
Saeed Ahmed Hassan, the founder and the Director of “Gollis College” explained thoroughly to both of the above
groups, the current status of college and the obstacles that they are encountering in the completion of the project and the
construction and academic priorities. He informed the community members on the target date, which the college is, scheduled
to open its doors to the potential students and the planned academic programs. The parents who participated in these two occasions
expressed their growing concerns with respect to the problems that a great number of their children are facing in the UK,
specifically the kaat (Qaad) and other matters that are disturbing the academic success of the younger generations in the
UK.
During the open discussion, “Gollis College”
offered the opportunity to provide remedial academic and summer programs designed to upgrading the academic levels of the
Diaspora children, which should bring them to internationally recognized standards.
Gollis College continues on the move to academic success for potential students.
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| Haji Abdi Waraabe and Mohamoud Dhooldahable |
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| The above are part of the community elders dedicated to the completion of this noble project |
| Mr. Ibrahim Talaabo |
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| Uk Community Leaders Visit to the Campus |
| High Profile Individuals Continue To Visit Campus |
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| Mr. Adan Bahnan, Hon. Hassan Ease (Former Vice Peridesnt of Somaliland), & Sh. Dahir Farah |
| Dispora Leaders: Norway, UK, & Sweden |
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| Ahmed M. Madar, Abdirahman A. Farah, & Ifrah Kahin |
The word is out in strength through the major cities of Somaliland, the
Web, and through out the Globe for the support of the completion of Gollis College. Very famous, high profile indiviuals in
the country as well as the Diaspora continue to visit the campus and witness the tangible efforts that brought the project
to its current level. They all admire and offer their support to this highly needed institution, which became Gollis University
on October, 2006.
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