Puntland State University

Puntland State University (PSU) is a premier institution of higher learning, centrally located in Garowe, the capital of Puntland State, Somalia. The university was founded in as the Garowe School of Management, renamed Puntland Community College (PCC) in 2001, and transformed into Puntland State University in 2004 through Presidential Decree No. 156 (November 2003). From its establishment in 2004, PSU has been recognized as a state university and has since grown significantly, becoming one of the leading providers of higher education in Somalia. In 2004, with support from UNDP, PSU collaborated with the United States International University (USIU) in Nairobi, Kenya, to design a four-year bachelor's degree curriculum and develop its 2004–2009 strategic plan. This plan established PSU as a fully-fledged university offering both two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor's degree programs. PSU serves as the preferred training center for Puntland State Government personnel, including members of Parliament and the Judiciary. It works in partnership with local and international development organizations such as UNDP, the World Bank, the European Commission, Diakonia-Sweden, the Somali Diaspora, and the Government of Puntland. PSU’s mission is to contribute to Somalia’s socio-economic development by delivering relevant, high-quality education and training programs. The university is committed to aligning its academic offerings with the developmental needs of the community. PSU was ranked the top university in Somalia in both 2013 and 2014.