The Challenge We AddressThe 1991 civil war in Somalia precipitated a catastrophic collapse of the central government, leading to the disintegration of public services and infrastructure. The education sector was particularly devastated, with over 75% of public schools destroyed or closed during the conflict. This prolonged instability forced more than 80% of the educated elite to flee the country, resulting in a significant brain drain that severely debilitated the higher education sector.Today, the consequences remain evident. Somali higher education institutions (HEIs) are largely isolated from global academic networks. Less than 10% of Somali universities have active academic partnerships with institutions in developed countries. As a result, Somali universities struggle to access best practices, funding opportunities, and global knowledge.