SomaliREN Annual General Meetings 2025

22 Feb 2025, 19:30 → 24 Feb 2025, 21:30 Africa/Mogadishu

Maa Hotel & Suites

Abdirazak Mohamed Aden (Chairman, SomaliREN Board of Directors)

SomaliREN is pleased to announce its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025, scheduled to take place on February 23-24, 2025, at the Maa Hotel & Suites in Nairobi, Kenya. This key event will bring together SomaliREN’s Board and Council members to discuss the network’s progress, strategic initiatives, and future plans. The AGM provides a vital platform for institutional collaboration, decision-making, and strengthening SomaliREN’s mission to advance research and education connectivity across the region.

Saturday, 22 February

20:00 → 21:00 Welcoming Dinner

Sunday, 23 February

08:00 → 13:30 Annual Board Meeting (By Invitation Only)

Convener: Prof. Abdirizak M. Aden (Chairperson, SomaliREN Board)

08:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks

1. Introduction of Attendees
2. Confirmation of Quorum

08:20 Chairman's Remarks

1. Overview of the Previous Year
2. Recognition of Achievements
3. Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Speaker: Abdirizak M. Aden (Chairman, SomaliREN Board of Directors)

08:50 Annual Report Review

1. Presentation and Discussion of the Annual Report
2. Q&A Session

10:00 Healthy Break and Photo Group

10:30 Annual Budget 2025 Review

1. Presentation of the Proposed Budget for 2024
2. Examination of Financial Projections
3. Approval of the Budget

11:05 Audit Report

1. Presentation of the Audit Report
2. Discussion on Audit Findings
3. Resolution on any Issues Raised

Speaker: Dr. Bashir Abdisamad (SOMCA)

11:25 Agenda Setting for the Council Meeting

1. Identification of Key Topics
2. Scheduling of Future Meetings
3. Assigning Responsibilities

11:40 Any Other Business, Next Steps and Closing Remarks

1. Open Floor for Additional Discussions
2. Miscellaneous Matters
3. Recap of Action Items
4. Acknowledgment of Participation
5. Adjournment

12:00 Prayer and Lunch Break

13:30 → 17:00 Annual Council Meeting

13:30 Guest Arrival and Registration

Speaker: All

13:50 Opening Remarks

Speaker: Prof. Abdirizak M. Aden (Chairman, SomaliREN Board of Directors)

14:05 Opening Session

1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Introduction of Attendees
3. Member Institutions Updates
4. Welcoming new members

14:35 Annual Report Presentation – Managerial and Technical

Speaker: Ahmed Siyad (CEO, SomaliREN)

15:05 Annual Audit Report 2025 Presentation

Speaker: Dr. Bashir Abdisamad (SOMCA)

15:30 Day1 Wrap Up and Reflections

15:50 Health Break and Prayers

Monday, 24 February

08:00 → 13:30 Annual Council Meeting

08:00 Guest Registration and Welcoming

09:00 Welcoming Opening Remarks

Speaker: Prof. Abdirizak Adam (Chairman, SomaliREN Board of Directors)

09:20 Guest Keynote Remarks

Speaker: Mr. Mahad A. Yusuf (Executive Director, Midaynta Community Services)

09:40 Keynote Guest Remarks

Speaker: Dr. Ali Isse (Executive Director, HESPI)

10:00 SomaliREN Constitution Review

Speaker: Dr. Mubarak Aar (President, Beder International University)

10:30 Health Break

11:00 Presentation on EA-RDIP Project (World Bank)

Speaker: Mr. Abdiaziz Shire (PIU, MoCT)

11:15 Presentation on EA-RDIP Project (World Bank)

Speaker: Victor Kyalo (World Bank)

11:30 Open Discussion – Membership Issues and Compliance, Sustainability Concerns, New Council Proposals

12:30 Prayer and Lunch Break

13:30 → 15:55 Council Members and Partners Discussions

13:30 Welcome Remarks and Introducing SomaliREN to International partners

• Welcome from the Chairman
• SomaliREN Presentation from the CEO

14:00 EU Education Representative

Speaker: Mohamed Sabul (Manager, EU Education)

14:10 World Bank Representative

Speaker: Osman Abdullahi (World Bank)

14:20 AfDB Representative

Speaker: Chikanna Ezeigbo (AfDB)

14:30 IOM Somalia Representative

Speaker: Yvonne Chelimo (IOM Somalia)

14:40 UNESCO Presentation

• Presentation by UNESCO highlighting key gaps in higher education and UNESCO’s ongoing efforts to support Somalia’seducation sector.

14:50 IOM Presentation

Presentation by IOM, outlining the impact of IOM’s existing projects on education and youth development in Somalia

15:00 Collaborative Discussions on Higher Education & SomaliREN

• Universities and international partners engage in an open discussion to identify key challenges, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration
• A focused council meeting for strategic discussions on how international partners and donors can support higher education and SomaliREN initiative

15:25 Health Break and Prayers

15:55 → 17:00 Board and Executive Election

15:55 - Review and new proposal initiatives

Speaker: All

16:45 Next Steps and Closing Remarks

Speaker: Abdirizak Adam (Chairman, SomaliREN Board of Directors)

19:30 → 20:30 Closing Dinner