Bahja Ali Shurie has always been driven by an unyielding passion for education and a commitment to her future. After completing high school, she dreamed of studying abroad, with Malaysia as her ideal destination. However, financial constraints made this aspiration unfeasible. Instead, she sought out other options and enrolled in a university that, as fate would have it, no longer exists today. Although she received a full scholarship from that institution, her family had other plans. Bahja’s father, influenced by her uncle’s advice, encouraged her to consider SIMAD University instead.
Joining SIMAD
Initially, Bahja felt uncertain about SIMAD, as leaving behind a scholarship seemed like an unnecessary burden on her family. However, her family’s insistence led her to enroll, and with time, she discovered that this unexpected choice would guide her to the “Fountain of Knowledge and Wisdom.”
As Bahja settled into life at SIMAD, her doubts about Somali universities gradually faded. In 2013, a significant moment of validation came when she was awarded a prestigious scholarship, only given to high-performing new students from top universities in Mogadishu. This scholarship not only alleviated her financial concerns but also confirmed that she was on the right path.
Throughout her four years at SIMAD, Bahja flourished, building strong networks, excelling academically, and finding mentors. Her experience at SIMAD became transformative, helping her achieve goals she had never anticipated.
Moments of Growth
At SIMAD University, Bahja embraced opportunities that encouraged student leadership and personal growth, such as student union elections, structured governance, and knowledge-sharing clubs. These experiences enabled her to develop her leadership skills and shape her academic journey.
In 2015, she was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Faculty of Economics and Social Science, a role that introduced her to a diverse group of peers and inspired her commitment to community service. This role demanded resilience and dedication, further solidifying her passion for making a meaningful impact on those around her.
SIMAD became a center for intellectual exchange, with students, mentors, and professionals gathering to share knowledge and insights. Collaborating with her classmates on academic projects expanded Bahja’s understanding of teamwork and the value of collective learning. The university’s reading club also nurtured her passion for literature and writing, eventually leading her to write her own book, Ku Dhaqaaq Isbaddel. Launched at the Mogadishu Book Fair in 2016, her book quickly became a bestseller, marking a proud achievement in her journey.
A Time to Give Back
Today, Bahja proudly serves as the Director of SIMAD iLab, a position that allows her to impact the lives of young Somalis through transformative innovation. Over the last five years, Bahja has been part of a team driving significant change in youth empowerment and entrepreneurship across Somalia. Under her leadership, SIMAD iLab has trained over 2,000 young people in skills like entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and employability, creating a strong foundation for Somalia’s future leaders. The lab successfully incubated 90 startups, created over 200 jobs, and supported over 500 women in acquiring skills to excel in tech and business sectors, making notable strides in economic empowerment. In 2021, Bahja’s achievements were recognized with SIMAD’s Best Innovation Award for her work as the former head of Women Enterprises Department at SIMAD iLab.
Driven by her love for learning, Bahja also pursued online courses to enhance her skills, earning a MicroMaster in Design Thinking, a certificate in Excel, and completing various specializations relevant to her field.
Winning the Blog4Dev contest for Somalia in 2020, hosted by the World Bank, marked a new chapter in Bahja’s life, opening doors to global platforms and community-building initiatives. Her journey with the Global Shapers community of the World Economic Forum allowed her to serve as Vice Curator twice, and she currently holds the position of Curator of the Mogadishu Hub Global Shapers. She also became an UNLEASH facilitator, guiding Somali youth through innovation processes during UNLEASH Hack Somalia in 2024 organised by ICE Institute, where she helped empower young people to tackle critical environmental issues in Somalia.
Through her work at SIMAD, Bahja has represented the university at international conferences and programs, sharing insights into the youth empowerment projects undertaken in Somalia. Her recent participation at Erasmus International Staff Week in Turkey connected her with representatives from over 20 universities across Europe, Asia, and Africa, showcasing SIMAD’s influence on the global stage and expanding her understanding of international collaboration.
Bahja remains deeply committed to shaping her community and inspiring the younger generation. Her journey at SIMAD is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and a supportive community, and she is proud to contribute to a brighter future for Somalia
