Presentation of the first issue

The Somali Journal of Science, Technology, and Society continues its mission to provide a platform for knowledge production and dissemination that reflects both the aspirations and the challenges of Somali society in its journey toward reconstruction, modernization, and global engagement. This new issue brings together contributions that explore the critical intersections of culture, education, science, governance, and health—areas that are inseparably linked to the sustainable future of Somalia.

The first article, Somalia: University Rebirth: Culture, Education, and Scientific Research. The Italian-Somali Relationship revisits the historical and cultural roots of higher education in Somalia, highlighting the longstanding partnership between Somali and Italian academic institutions. It reminds us that the rebirth of universities is not only an educational project but also a cultural and scientific one, deeply connected with Somalia’s capacity to rebuild its intellectual capital.

Complementing this perspective, the article The Role of the Somali National University and its International Inter-University Relationship in the Scientific, Technical, and Economic Development of Somali Society emphasizes the key function of Somali National University as a hub for knowledge exchange and development. The piece illuminates how inter-university cooperation can foster innovation, human capital formation, and economic growth in a country where higher education institutions are being called to act as engines of national progress.

The broader theme of nation-building is addressed in a trilogy of articles: Somalia, the Construction of the State I: Italy-Somalia Public Administration Project; II: The Mattei Plan; III: Specific Challenges in Healthcare Cooperation and in International Plans for the Prevention and Management of Pandemic Crises. These contributions collectively delineate the evolving dynamics of state construction, the significance of international cooperation, and the urgent necessity to enhance public administration. They also emphasize the importance of health governance, particularly in the face of global pandemics, which require coordinated national and international responses.

The issue concludes with an original contribution on a domain that is both traditional and forward-looking: Camel Milk Consumption May Naturally Prevent Dysmetabolic Disorders and Motivate Industrial Milk Transformation in Somalia. This study reveals how local knowledge and practices, such as the nutritional value of camel milk, can contribute to public health while simultaneously opening avenues for agro-industrial innovation and sustainable economic development.

Taken together, the articles in this issue of the Somali Journal of Science, Technology, and Society reflect the multifaceted nature of Somalia’s reconstruction. They want us to see education, science, government, health, and local innovation as parts of a larger national project that is based on culture, supported by international cooperation, and driven by the Somali people's creative energy.

It is our hope that this collection of contributions will not only inform scholarly debate but also inspire policymakers, academics, and civil society to engage more deeply in the ongoing effort to build a resilient and prosperous Somali society.