Governance of Somali Tertiary Education Systems: A Case Study in Complexity

The study, titled “Governance of Somali Tertiary Education Systems: A Case Study in Complexity” analyzes how Somalia’s higher education governance has evolved through the lens of Clark’s (1983) model—comprising the state, the market, and academic oligarchy. During the first twenty years after formal higher education was introduced, the state dominated as sole funder and regulator, with little involvement from market forces or academic elites. However, following the collapse of central governance in 1991, a proliferation of universities emerged across Somalia with minimal regulation. Now, the state’s influence has largely dissipated, while the academic oligarchy and market forces have taken a leading role. This decentralized and uncoordinated system raises serious concerns about alignment between educational programs and labor market needs. Farah argues that without strategic collaboration—particularly between the Ministry of Education and the private sector—the misalignment may hinder both graduates’ employability and the development of the national economy