Somalian President receives M.Tech, D.Litt degrees

Bhopal: President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday received his M.Tech degree from a city-based institute, 27 years after completing the course, and was also awarded Honorary D.Litt degree by the Barkatullah University at a special convocation ceremony.

The Somalian President is a former student of Bhopal University which was later rechristened as Barkatullah University after Barkatullah Bhopali, a scholar and revolutionary.

Mohamud, who studied M Tech from Technical Teachers Training Institute (TTTI-then affiliated to Barkatullah University) from 1986-88, arrived here to collect the twin degrees.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav conferred M.Tech and Honorary D.Litt degrees to the Somalian President in the presence of Higher Education Minister Umashankar Gupta and University Vice-Chancellor MD Tiwari.

Addressing the function, Mohamud recalled his days as an M.Tech student at the TTTI and said he was happy to come back here to collect his degree.

He also spoke about the changes taking places in his home country which was once linked with global terrorism.

"Earlier, there was no governance system in place and Somalia had become a hub for terrorist training. Terror groups had established their own training centres by recruiting young people who were sent to join Boka Haram and al Qaeda."

"But now we have cut off their supply lines from the outside world. They are on the run," Mohamud said, drawing applause from the gathering.

Referring to India, the Somalian President, who took part in the India-Africa Forum Summit held in Delhi this week, said he was impressed by the country's unity in diversity.

He said all religions in the world are rooted in peace and there is no place for violence and hatred in them.

Mohamud said he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the summit and requested him to help Somalia realise its economic potential, given its nearly 3,300 km coastline and a large port, among other advantages.