Our community of marine scientists at Darul Hikmah University is adamant in making sure that we adhere to the pursuit of excellence and perfection as embodied in our motto “home of wisdom”. It is not as easy as it sounds but DHU family collectively shoulders to make it a reality by sharing that wisdom with our students.What is noteworthy above everything else is the fact that DHU was the first university in Somalia to establish marine science department- the first of its kind on Somali soil. DHU stepped up to the plate when experts at the university envisioned the dire need to produce talented marine and fisheries scientists that help the nation to take advantage of the vast resources abundant in the aquatic systems of the country. Somalia enjoys the longest coastline in mainland Africa, untapped resources like minerals, natural gas and economically valuable organisms and the complete absence of professional cadres in the sector is mindboggling!. DHU decided to fill this void and abruptly laid the foundation stone for the marine science department.

The department consists of several disciplines including but not limited to fisheries science, marine biology and oceanography, port management and marine economics & management. The department got a wide positive reception from the community and acknowledged its inception. We are bent on to tirelessly proceed with our endeavor to better serve this great nation. So far, we have two batches graduated from the department and third one is forthcoming within couple of months.

However, one of the most important principles of this department is to contribute to the sustainable development goal (SDG14) which entails about life below water. We are striving to eradicate poverty and hunger by educating the community formally and informally on the significance of fisheries and aquaculture. Hence, we encourage our Somali people to actively participate and unanimously put all of our efforts in the improvement of production sectors in general and in the fisheries sector in particular. That will definitely alleviate poverty and at the same time improve the living standards by raising the overall GDP of the country.
Lastly, I’d like to welcome all community members to join us in our journey of adventure into the oceans and the best ways to generate income from it while keeping it intact and sustainable for the many generations to come.

I convey my heartfelt congratulations to the outgoing students of DHU in general and the fisheries scientists in particular. I have mixed feelings toward your departure from our campus. I assure you that you’ll linger in our memories for eternity. I wish you a blossoming, bright future all the way through your higher studies and careers.

Mr. Ahmed Abdi Adam

Dean of Faculty of Maritime Studies and Marine Sciences