Somalia, 19 October 2025 — The Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has signed a scholarship agreement with Pwani University in Kenya to support ministry staff pursuing Master’s degrees in fisheries and marine resource management.
The program, known as the Kalluun Scholarship Program, seeks to build technical capacity in fisheries management and promote sustainable development of Puntland’s maritime resources.
The agreement was signed on Saturday in Garowe by Puntland Minister of Fisheries Abdirisak Abdulahi Haga, Deputy Minister Mohamoud Ali Gabah, Pwani University Chair James Kahindi, and Dean of the School of Marine and Fisheries Sciences Bernerd Fulanda.
The ceremony was also attended by Puntland Minister of Labour Abdirahman Habarwaa, Auditor General Osman Mahamuud Ali, and representatives from regional universities, including East Africa University and CityCot.
Minister Hagaa noted that the partnership follows a careful review of local higher education institutions and aims to provide ministry staff with advanced knowledge not currently available within Puntland.
“It is our goal to continue this initiative until our universities reach a level where they can offer advanced degrees locally, so we no longer have to send students abroad,” said Puntland’s Minister of Fisheries.
Officials said the collaboration will enhance staff capacity, expand technical expertise in fisheries and marine sciences, and support sustainable management of Puntland’s maritime resources.
Puntland, a state in northeastern Somalia, stretches along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, boasting a long and rich coastline. Pwani University, established in 2007 in Kilifi County, Kenya, is internationally recognized for its programs in marine and fisheries sciences, including sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture, oceanography, and marine conservation.