Computer and Business Studies on one side and Community Health on the other side, are all the buzz at Bardera Polytechnic also known as BPC. The computer lab at Bardera Polytechnic is a much appreciated addition to the college. Academic programs at Bardera Polytechnic are designed to develop skilled workforce for Bardera District and Gedo Region, a part of larger Jubba Valley Region. BPC is the first college in Gedo.
Residents, businesess and students from other schools alike are taking advantage of all the computer courses at Bardera Polytechnic. The Department of Business and Computer Studies at Bardera Polytechnic is having difficult in finding space for all the potential students who want to take part in the computer study program. The college is striving to be center of skills training in Gedo and Jubba Regions.
The school has one computer lab and many of its current students from other programs such as Islamic Studies, Community Health and Languages Departments want to learn the basics of computers and computer use. The fee for the computer courses is just $40 per semister.
Many of the business people in Bardera and others who run their own business or do other office related jobs and staff from NGO offices are flocking to the school to register for the computer programs. To accomudate as many students as possible, classes are running at all times: morning, noon, afternoon, evening and on weekends, all day.
Business Management Program at Bardera Polytechnic, a two-year program from the Department of Business and Computer Studies is also enjoying popularity. Students comprising equal numbers of boys and girls get the many angles of business. Types whether governmental or private, profit or non-profit making and managment skills needed to run small or large business and the academic training needed to overcoming the hard tasks of daily business operations are taught in this program.
In an analogy, since the start of the civil war, Somalia has been a house without a roof. All the skilled people have either reached retirement age, died or immigrated to the seven continents of the world. Bardera Polytechnic challenges itself to change this lingering misfortune a bit.
The start of the success was the Community Health Department. First batch of graduating class of 2009 all were women. The second graduating batch on June 2010, eleven in all, from the business program, 5 were famales and 6 males. Bardera residents appreciate the education opportunities which the college is offering to the community at large.
The computer lab at Bardera Polytechnic has become a case study where a question is being debated over whether to continue offering computer classes or not. The cost of electricity in Baardheere and many parts of Somalia is just beyong normal. The school is finding hard to finance a good power genator with initial cost of $2,600.00 US.
Business and Computer Studies Department need assistance for the uncontrolable electricty costs. The Computer Lab is running to just cover its costs. Each system unit in the computer lab costs $42 (So. Sh 40,000 X 30 days) per month. Instead of generating revenue for the school, to pay for teacher incentives and other college expenses, there is constant debate over keeping the lab to run.
Diaspora supporters of the school from Canada, United States and Scandanavia suggested to sending a power generator for the school but that in itself will be an added task for the school to manage. Fuel costs and additional manpower will become a long-term issue to deal with. No outside funding is currently available for the school which has registered over 380 students since its founding in 2008.
The Dean of the college, Abdirahman Sheikh Abdi estimates that $170,000 US is enough to setup a campus with much more space than the current one and it will have a space to put a power generator unlike the current location. The building which houses the college is rented and it does not have a place to put a power generator. Own power generator would have enabled the school to do without the exorbitant and manopolized private electricty in Baardheere. Urgently needed are equipment for nursing and pharmacy labs; 4 microscopes & 10 computers and their monetary equivalent is about $5,600.00 US.
Envisioned developmental phases are not complete yet and major hurdles are already at play. With the help from local NGOs like SEHO, SADO and Markabley Foundation, second phase development including availability of veterinary and agricultural courses are becoming a near future possibility.
Note: For any assistance or donations you may have, Please direct it to:
The Dean of Bardera Polytechnic, Abdirahman Sheikh Abdi Tel +252 615 818 988 or
Registrar's Office Manager, Bishar Ahmed Shirwa +252 615 131 615
