Djibouti Marks 25 Years of Its National University with Presidential Ceremony

Djibouti, March 31, 2026 - The President of the Republic, Ismail Omar Guelleh, presided over a ceremony on Tuesday celebrating the 25th anniversary of the University of Djibouti, highlighting the institution’s role in training skilled professionals and advancing national development. Held at the Balbala campus, the event showcased the university’s academic and research programs, reflecting a broad offering that spans undergraduate studies to strategic doctoral research. Presentations emphasized the institution’s contributions to technological innovation, scientific research, and specialized engineering. During the visit, President Guelleh toured several state-of-the-art facilities, including the Energy and Systems Research Laboratory, focused on renewable energy solutions tailored to local climatic conditions. He also visited the Multidisciplinary Chemistry Laboratory, which studies environmental chemical transformations across land, sea, and air, as well as the Advanced Construction Research Laboratory, dedicated to civil engineering and urban planning expertise. The tour concluded at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, where research in digital technologies and innovation is underway. Addressing a packed amphitheater of academics, researchers, and students, President Guelleh praised the university’s achievements, describing it as a cornerstone of the country’s human capital development. “The university trains essential professionals for the development of our nation-engineers, teachers, healthcare workers, and legal experts,” he said. “It represents a significant human capital built for our country.” The head of state also reflected on the institution’s origins, noting that its creation marked a decisive shift in national education policy. He described the establishment of the university as a “major political decision” that broke with a system previously reliant on limited scholarships for studies abroad. Looking ahead, President Guelleh reiterated his ambition to transform the University of Djibouti into a regional center of excellence. He called for strengthened academic programs, expanded research capacity, and closer collaboration with industry, alongside greater support for innovation and student entrepreneurship. The ceremony was attended by several senior government officials, including Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Minister of Higher Education and Research Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, and political figure Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil. The President of the university, Djama Mohamed Hassan, was also present, alongside senior university officials.