Abaarso, 10 March 2010 (Somalilandpress) – The largest wind turbine in the country arrived on the campus of Abaarso Tech on Tuesday after being shipped from China. When installed the wind turbine is expected to provide up to 30 KW of continuous power, enough for Abaarso Tech’s campus.
Daniel Chehata, the head of the physics department, said the whole assembly process could take less than a week. Staff is hopeful that shortly thereafter the windmill will start producing the majority of energy the secondary boarding school uses.
“This is a significant development for Abaarso Tech and for Somaliland. It is also another testament that our new school is committed to innovative approaches to development,” said Dr. Ahmed Esa, co-founder and board vice-chair.
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Esa expects Abaarso Tech’s reliance on wind and other renewable energy sources to be an excellent indicator for the viability of these alternatives in resource lacking areas.
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Experts consider a wind speed of 6.4 m/s to be economically viable. Some areas surrounding Hargeisa are estimated to have a yearly average wind speed much higher than this.
This could be good news for Somali consumers who currently pay between 80 US cents and 1 US dollar for 1 KW of energy. Wind turbine energy would be a significantly cheaper option to the diesel generators that provide nearly 100 percent of the energy that Somaliland uses.
By Teresa Krug
Abaarso, Somaliland
Excellent news! Abaarso Tech is already producing fruits for Somaliland and I am confident very soon it will become the Harvard and Oxford of East Africa.
The team at Abaarso is highly competent and Somaliland needed people who deliver their promises, these people lost optimism throughout time because people promised them and never delivered.
This new technology will encourage others to do the same and before we know we will tap into green energy and other similar resources.
When Somaliland is developing like this why would people want it to be part of the chaotic south Mafia?
Excellent Abaarso!
Just a general question. Are any of the teachers at the school qualified teachers, with Bachelors or Masters in Education? Or are they simply unqualified volunteers from aboard?
Congratulations to Abaarso and Somaliland. Few years ago the people from Somalia were laughing when the news first published 'Dr Ahmed lays the foundation stone for Somaliland Science Academy' – I don't think they are laughing now but rather wish to take credit for it under the "Somalia" umbrella.
The people of Somaliland no matter how much under estimated will always prove everyone wrong and we are glade to have the wisdom of men like Jonathan Starr and Dr Ahmed Esa.
I hope this will focus on educating the entire horn of Africa in the near future and making Somaliland center for learning and education.
I believe the school should aso add prep and childcare section because many kids lack the early years foundations, this is the problem with Africa.
They dont understand education is something you learn from the moment your born to the time you die.
Abaarso we are with you.
abaarso tech,, maasha allah
I am not antagonizing anyone…but I'm not willing to be blindly sold on an idea either. That is just being naive…I look at the site and not a single person seems to have a degree in education. Being a university graduate does not qualify you to teach….
Unfortunately the world is not a nice place, and I strongly believe in the motto "if it's too good to be true it probably is". You have to wonder and ask yourself always "what's in it for them?"
It's like those missionaries in Haiti that tried to kidnap all those kids….Anyone can set up a charitable organization now ideas….
Read up on the residential school system in Canada…many native children were educated there but many were also abused physically, and sexual…of course this school is not founded on the same premise at all but still you need to keep your eyes open.
What's the point of an education when you've been abused? And remember Somaliland is an unrecognized country with few laws to protect its citizens and few laws to prevent potential criminals from entering the country.
In all western nations to become a qualified teacher one requires a police check that's why I asked if they were qualified. You don't want these innocent children exposed to criminals.
It's like those missionaries in Haiti that tried to kidnap all those kids….Anyone can set up a charitable organization now ideas….
what's the point of an education when you've been abused? And remember Somaliland is an unrecognized country with few laws to protect its citizens and few laws to prevent potential criminals from entering the country.
A qualified teacher in a western country is required to have a criminal record check…and that's why I asked if they were qualified.
I may be starving but what's the point of giving be poisoned food?
This is not a topic you discuss in this topic – the topic is not about Abaarso staff, its about the windmill. As for the staff read aboug them on their website and the reason you ask this is because you don't know Dr Ahmed Essa. He is one of the most honest and hard working man in the country and there is no way he would associate himselve with what your assuming.
Most of these staff don't get paid as they use to back in their countries many come because they believe in Abaarso and Somaliland while others just want career change and new place and new lives.
That is very naive stance to take.
Abaarso Tech teachers are well qualified. The Physics teacher is a mechanical engineer with a PhD in physics. There is a Harvard graduate and a Phi Beta Kappa Maths teacher. The IT teacher knows IT better than anyone in Somaliland. They are hired after many interviews. They are committed and work for peanuts. They did not come to Abaarso as a group, but as individuals. Similar teachers can now be found at Hargeisa U, Admas and Amoud.
First of all Phi beta kappa is not a degree it's a fraternity… and all that means is you like to party.
Second as I explained before having a university even if its a Ph.D. does not qualify you to teach in western countries. I know people with PhD that have gone back to unversity to become qualified teachers. And according to the their site from the information they provide none of their teachers are qualified.
That's the simply truth of the matter…and it's something they can't deny. It's better to just accept it.
This is nonsense. Phi Beta Kappa is not a fraternity, but a society where after graduation only the best students are invited to join. Two, we are not talking about the US system, but Somaliland. There are many countries including Somaliland, where if you require teacher education as a qualification for teaching in our primary and secondary schools, you will be left with almost all the schools empty of teachers and in any case Abaarso Tech is both a university and a secondary school. In college, even in the United States, you do not need teacher qualifications to teach. Come off it, man, where we are, Abaarso Tech is lucky to have these volunteer teachers. If you have a better solution, let us hear it. Few years back, an Intel Engineer I know left Intel to try and teach Math in Oregon high schools. She was turned down because she lacked teacher qualifications, she took her children out of the system, home-schooled them and they were able to get into the best Universities. There are those in the US who believe that teacher education is a Union card to block people off and that the education system is suffering because of this.
Clearly you don't live in North America or attend university here….Phi Beta Kappa is a fraternity…they have at very major campus in North America. It doesn't reflect anything but money…if your rich and your father belonged to it your in…that's all the qualification you need.
People are required to have a teaching qualification in order to protect the young children they are working with. Universities and colleges don't require teaching qualifications because they students they teach are adults and know how to protect themselves.
You'r still spouting nonsense. I received three degrees from the US. Phi Beta Kappa is an honour society. Just check it out. It is not like the Greek sororities and fraternities were frat boys hang out to party. Only the top 10% of the students are invited. It has nothing to do with money as I know many dear friends who belong to it who do not come from money. They give money to it now.
In any case, I said we are not comparing resources and requirements of the US to that of our Somaliland. Also it is never a good idea to start an argument with the world "clearly or as we all know". Not Phi Beta Kappa material, I gather.
I do have a better solution. Hire qualified teachers. I know a lot of young qualified teachers that would love to work in Africa for free, just for the experience. You have to go to teaching colleges and recruit these people.
Good, be helpful then. Send these young qualified teachers a note about Abaarso Tech. Let them check it out and maybe some of them will come to Somaliland to teach. I am sure the folks building Abaarso Tech would appreciate your assistance.
I thank to Ahmed Hussein Essa and the other board members of the Abaarso Technical School for their contribution and tireless efforts to promote Somali land's education. I know Ahmed by person. He is a man of integrity who will not hesitate a minute to take part in the advancement of his country. He is not like those who came to Somali land for their personal interests. We need Ahmed and his likes to achieve our goals.
Why do you care if they are qualified or not, I think your kind of crossing the line, if you are concerned parent you have right to know that information by visiting their website, contacting them etc – but i dont think its something you should discuss in here.
They are excellent team and properly one the most qualified ones in Somaliland.
Respect guys.
As a concerned citizen I have the right to know. The people of Somaliland are very trustworthy people and I don't want their trust to be destroyed. I don't want them to be taken advantage of.
J. A, you know what you're talking about and you're not gullable!
@JA
You are right to say that those who want to teach should be qualified to do so. In an ideal situation where there are no shortages of highly educated people like in the developed World, that should be the case. But Somaliland is not a developed country and there are precious few who can teach. However, and despite your view, an education degree does not turn a bad human into a saint. It merely gives the holder the skills to teach others. Moreover, it is wrong to assume that anyone willing to teach children and benefit society has other sinister intentions. There are many Somalis with no university degrees teaching at our schools and we thank them all. No body suspected them of anything or asked them to produce their police records. So why do we treat foreigners willing to help us differently? Don't forget the saying that one is innocent until proven guilty.
Yes, will done Ahmed Hussein Eissa & your group, this unforgettin moment for our country . Abaarso tech. is begnning of many edcational techns that we need in this country… When Ahmed start this project , he changed his course to 360' & left the political situation .
thanks to all ,
ibrahim xaashi maal
saudi arabia