The University of Hargeisa (UoH) has joined the newly established Consortium of Higher Education Institutions in African Pastoralist Areas (CHEIAPA), marking a significant milestone in the University’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and international academic collaboration.

The University was represented by Dr. Khalid Ahmed Abdi, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Partnerships, at the consortium’s inception meeting hosted by the University of Girona, Spain. The meeting brought together senior academic leaders from universities across Africa and Europe, including vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, distinguished professors, and faculty leaders, to establish a collaborative platform dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing pastoralist communities across the continent.

CHEIAPA aims to foster interdisciplinary research and academic cooperation by combining indigenous knowledge with scientific innovation to address critical issues such as climate adaptation, livestock production systems, renewable energy, sustainable natural resource management, and sustainable tourism. The consortium will also promote joint research projects, curriculum development, student and staff exchange programs, research capacity building, and policy engagement.For the University of Hargeisa, membership in CHEIAPA provides an important opportunity to expand its international research partnerships while ensuring that research and innovation remain closely aligned with the needs and priorities of Somaliland’s pastoralist communities.

The meeting concluded with an agreed roadmap that includes the development of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the launch of collaborative research and capacity-building initiatives among partner institutions.Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the University emphasized that participation in CHEIAPA reinforces its strategic vision of becoming a regional leader in research and innovation while contributing practical, evidence-based solutions to sustainable development challenges in pastoralist areas.

The partnership reflects the University of Hargeisa’s continued commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and community-centered research. Through CHEIAPA, the University will play a key role in advancing knowledge, informing policy, and supporting sustainable livelihoods across African drylands, while strengthening higher education and research for future generations.