Somali National University conducts research projects that generate practical solutions for national and regional development. Projects are implemented by faculty members, postgraduate students, research centres and collaborative teams, in partnership with government ministries, development partners, universities, international organisations and the private sector.
Research focus
- Public Health and Disease Prevention
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
- Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
- Renewable Energy
- Water Resources
- Governance and Public Administration
- Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion
- Economic Development
- Educational Innovation
Documented projects and initiatives
CURIOUS Project
Launched 26 January 2026
A strategic academic partnership to strengthen higher education and research capacity in Somalia and to help build a competent, resilient health workforce through curriculum development, research collaboration and institutional capacity building. A two-day curriculum development workshop was held in August 2026.
- Partners
- Somali National University, East Africa University, Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), Maastricht University (Netherlands — lead partner)
- Funding
- European Union
Source: CURIOUS Project Launching Event Report; SNU News Bulletin, August 2026
PAIS-FUS: Public Administration Italy–Somalia
Three-year project, launched July 2025
Builds the administrative capacity of government institutions, beginning with the Federal Ministries of Health and Justice. A Training of Trainers (ToT) programme ran in April and June 2026, with Somali trainers certified to cascade training to civil servants.
- Partners
- Somali National University, University of Palermo (UniPA), Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
Source: SNU news, July 2025 and April–June 2026
Mitacs research project on air pollution
Announced 18 March 2026; implementation from 30 March 2026
Advanced training for intern Ustaad Mohamed Kassim Awow in the analysis of metal contamination in settled dust, supervised locally by Dr. Amina Sekaly with Professor Julia Lu of TMU as host supervisor.
- Partners
- Applied Chemistry Department (Faculty of Science) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
- Funding
- Mitacs
Source: XML academic achievement post, April 2026
SNU Research and Innovation Strategy 2026–2030
Consultation meeting, 29 June 2026
Development of a unified agenda guiding research, innovation, invention and entrepreneurship, aligned with national development priorities.
- Partners
- University leadership, deans, research centre directors and researchers
Source: SNU news, June 2026
Faculty research training programme
Launched 16 August 2026
Training of Trainers programme for 120 lecturers focused on research skills, data management, organisation and analysis, so that staff can produce high-quality, independent research that responds to national needs.
- Partners
- Office of the Deputy Rector for Research and Innovation
Source: Newsletter, August 2026
Wagon2Africa
Closing conference, Palermo, 7 May 2026
International project focused on inclusive education, educational technology, community engagement and cooperation between African and European universities.
- Partners
- University of Palermo (UNIPA) and partner universities in Africa and Europe
Source: SNU news, May 2026
SHARE-AFRICA
Closing workshop, 30 June 2026
Science Hub for Advanced Research and Education with Africa, a cooperation project between Italian and African universities on higher education, research and innovation.
- Partners
- University of Padua (host), IHEA Foundation (coordination)
- Funding
- Italian Ministry of University and Research
Source: Newsletter, June 2026
Erasmus+ exchange with the University of Helsinki
Academic years 2025–2028
Internal calls for student and staff (lecturer) exchange for eligible members of the Faculty of Education.
- Partners
- Faculty of Education (SNU) and University of Helsinki (Finland)
- Funding
- Erasmus+
Source: SNU announcements, January 2026
Women, Peace and Security programme
2024
Training programme with graduations of 63 participants from Banadir and the Federal Government (July 2024) and 40 participants from South West, Jubaland, Galmudug and Hirshabelle (September 2024).
- Partners
- Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development and Somali National University
- Funding
- UNDP Somalia
Source: SNU news, 2024
Source: XML page 19239 “Research Projects”; news posts; CURIOUS project report; newsletters 2026
