Opening remarks in the 1st APU research conference (5 to 6 May 2025), Garowe:
Hon. Ministers, MPs, and distinguished guests,
It is an honor for me to join you at the first research conference organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Association of Puntland Universities and to welcome you all to the first research conference. I would like to extend a special welcome to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, other ministers, members of parliament, the Association of Puntland University (APU), and all distinguished guests. It is important to organize a research conference to investigate barriers to social services for setting up policies and strategies that address all the issues hampering social services.
It motivated me by the theme of the conference, which is “enhancing the responsibilities of social services,” and it came at the right time to address issues around social services. So, this is an opportunity to come together to identify gaps in social services and sketch a clear map for addressing gaps and realizing good governance.
As a result of the conference, the Puntland state can find a new way to realize good governance and social services. Concrete research findings and recommendations can play a big role in policy setting that can drive change in governance, social, technology, and economic. Puntland is always ready to engage and take advantage of research conference outcomes.
Finally, I wish to thank all individuals and organizations for making this conference possible, and the conference is officially open. I wish the conference proceeds well.
I thank you all.
Preamble
I am delighted to officially open the first research conference that is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Association of Puntland Universities (APU). It is the first research conference in Puntland that will provide valuable recommendations as a result of research findings and discussion among the participants and keynote speakers' remarks.
The Research Conference is the foundation of our state building for the future; thus, it is our duty to promote research and innovation to solve issues in education and other social services aspects to improve the quality of education, employment skills, and living standards. The theme of this conference is to improve social services. I feel this occasion is an appropriate platform from which to offer challenges and solutions, policy guidelines for effective social delivery, such as education, health, local government services, and other issues.
I, therefore, wish to appreciate everyone who contributed to this conference, and higher education must be brought to spread research and innovation to address different problems that hinder quality education, particularly and generally, in social services.
I wish to officially declare that the first research conference is open, and it will be an annual event.
Best Regards.
Hon. Fu’ad Abshir Ahmed (Adeer)
The Minister, MoEHE
PREFACE
The 1st Association of Puntland Universities (APU) research conference on enhancing the responsibilities of social services will be held from 5th to 6th May 2025 at Garowe in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE). The main aim was to establish a forum for disseminating research papers and facilitating discussion on challenges and solutions to social services in Puntland, as well as bringing together researchers, government officers, scholars, and experts from various academic disciplines and universities to exchange ideas and experiences. The conference included 15 oral paper presentations and other poster presentations that focus on three main areas: (i) Local governance and conflict resolution, (ii) Education and Health, and (iii) Technology and energy. Three keynote speakers, three panel discussions, and other participants' remarks were also included in the conference program. It is a valuable event that will have remarkable impacts, and it provides a variety of policy actions and recommendations toward enhancing social services.
We must sincerely thank the keynote speakers, researchers, organizers, APU, the MoEHE, government officers, university staff, sponsors, and others who contributed to the success of this research conference. We worked very hard to make the conference well-organized and lasting positive impact on enhancing social services. We wish to meet our expectations or exceed them.
Regards.
Mr. Abdirahman Sheikhdon
Chief Organizing Committee
Chairperson of APU BoG
Acknowledgment
I would like to begin by thanking Hon. Fu’ad Abshir, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), for leading this research conference, which produced a list of impressive papers. I am also thankful to the organizing committee, APU, member universities, and researchers for their time and efforts in this research conference. I extend a warm welcome to all our scholars and guests, particularly those who have traveled to be here in person and those of you who have joined us virtually.
I also take this occasion to recognize our keynote speakers, including Dr. Ali Sheikh Ahmed and Hon. Ali Haji Warsame, and to thank conference sponsors, including Salam Bank, Amal Bank, Golis, Kaalo, Amal Real Estate, and Arafat International Hospital.
This research conference is aimed at organizing a forum for research and bringing together scholars, researchers, experts, senior government officials, business organizations, and international organizations to disseminate research papers and facilitate debates to address challenges hampering social services and to create equality and inclusiveness in social services. The APU and MoEHE are committed to conduct a research conference as an annual event to establish an opportunity to connect researchers, experts, and other contributors around the globe.
Thank you, and enjoy the research conference.
Dr. Mohamed Ali Farah
Chief Executive Officer
Association of Puntland Universities
