On 26 January 2026, the Vice-Chancellor of Hormuud University, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐢, paid a courtesy visit to 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞, 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, with the purpose of advancing a strategic academic initiative linking the 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚; through Hormuud University, with 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 (ASEAN) 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 and 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Prof. Abdi presented 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐮𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 vision to establish structured academic, research, and institutional partnerships between the university and institutions across ASEAN countries. The initiative aims to bridge two historically under-connected regions by promoting Academic and Research cooperation in priority areas such as education, People-to-people and institutional diplomacy, using higher education as a platform to strengthen cultural understanding and long-term cooperation between 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 and 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚. Her Excellency Ambassador Marie Charlotte warmly welcomed the initiative, commending Prof. Abdi’s leadership and forward thinking. She noted that this proposal represents the first initiative of its kind to formally link Somali higher education with ASEAN academic institutions through diplomatic and institutional channels. The Ambassador expressed strong appreciation for the role of education as a bridge between regions and affirmed the Philippines’ openness to supporting networking, and potential collaboration with relevant academic institutions.
The visit laid the groundwork for future collaboration and sent a strong message of mutual interest in building enduring educational and institutional ties between the two regions.
