IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School

08/06/2025

🌊 World Ocean Day 2025
Theme: Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us

🌊 World Ocean Day 2025
Theme: Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us

On this World Ocean Day, IGAD joins the global community in celebrating the wonder of our oceans—and the life, livelihoods, and inspiration they provide.

As the first Regional Economic Community (REC) in Africa to adopt a Blue Economy Strategy, IGAD has taken a pioneering step toward unlocking the potential of our marine and water-based resources. This milestone was made possible through the valuable support of the European Union and the Government of Sweden, who continue to be strong partners in our blue transformation journey.

This year’s theme—“Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”—is a powerful reminder that our oceans are not only rich in biodiversity but also in opportunity. Let us safeguard this wonder for generations to come.

Read more: https://igad.int/world-ocean-day-2025-sustaining-the-wonder-that-sustains-us/

29/08/2024

ISTVS Graduates Receive Prestigious ICDF Scholarships for 2024
We are thrilled to announce that two ISTVS graduates in Dryland Agriculture, Mohamed, and Dayib, have been awarded the prestigious ICDF scholarships for 2024. Mohamed is now pursuing a Master of Tropical Agriculture at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, while Dayib has joined the International Master Program of Agriculture at National Chung Hsing University.
These scholarships, offered by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) of Taiwan (China), are highly competitive, with 133 full scholarships awarded globally this year. Congratulations to Mohamed and Dayib on this remarkable achievement, which reflects the quality of education at ISTVS and the bright future ahead for our graduates.

08/08/2024

Enhancing Marine Skills: A Glimpse into IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School Practical Training
At IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School (ISTVS), we are committed to advancing the blue economy through hands-on training and capacity building. IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School recently led practical training sessions for Berbera Maritime and Fisheries Academy marine students.
This initiative highlights our dedication to supporting marine resource management and developing skills essential for the sustainable growth of marine industries. By leveraging our state-of-the-art labs, we align with IGAD Blue Economy's goals of enhancing professional capabilities and addressing marine sector challenges.
We are proud to contribute to this vital effort and look forward to further advancing marine education and resource management.

29/07/2024

IGAD STVS Hosts Consultative Meeting for Establishment of Sheikh Local Development Fund (SLDF)
On Sunday, July 28, 2024, the IGAD_STVS hosted a significant consultative meeting to discuss the establishment of the Sheikh Local Development Fund (SLDF), an initiative aimed at empowering local communities for sustainable development. The meeting took place in the conference hall at IGAD_STVS in Sheikh, Somaliland.
The event was graced by the presence of the mayor of Sheikh District Mr. Ismail Husein, IGAD_STVS Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Abdullahi Sheikh, and Academic Registrar Dr. Ismail Ali, who represented IGAD_STVS. The consultative meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from the local community, government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant entities to discuss and strategize the establishment of the SLDF.
IGAD_STVS warmly welcomed the community-driven initiatives for sustainable development. The school recognized the vital importance of supporting these efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to empowering local communities.
During the meeting, Dr. Abdullahi Sheikh and Dr. Ismail Ali emphasized that IGAD_STVS is ready to provide technical support for the projects under the SLDF. This support aligns with IGAD's mandate to build resilient communities through education, training, and capacity building.
The establishment of the SLDF is seen as a critical step towards sustainable development in the region. By empowering communities, the SLDF aims to enhance local capacity, promote self-reliance, and improve the overall quality of life for residents in Sheikh and surrounding areas.
The meeting facilitated open discussions among stakeholders, allowing for the exchange of ideas, identification of priorities, and development of a collaborative approach to implementing sustainable development projects.
The consultative meeting marked a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable development in Sheikh. With the support of IGAD STVS, the Sheikh Local Development Fund is poised to make a meaningful impact on the community, fostering resilience and promoting long-term growth and prosperity.

16/07/2024

Celebrating ISTVS Thesis Defense Success
ISTVS proudly hosted the thesis defense for our eighteenth batch of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine students. The event showcased the culmination of their hard work and dedication, with research topics that align with ISTVS's commitment to strengthening food systems resilience and addressing transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
Our students presented groundbreaking research on vital issues such as:
Highlighted Thesis Topics:
1. Poultry Farm Management in Somaliland
2. Honey Quality Assessment
3. Camel Husbandry Practices
4. Rabies Control and Prevention
5. Milk-Born Zoonosis in Pastoral Communities
6. Fish Quality Analysis
7. Drinking Water Quality in Sheikh City
8. Biosecurity in Poultry Farms
9. Camel Brucellosis Risk
10. TB Prevention in Schools
ISTVS continues to support food systems resilience through impactful research and education.

23/03/2024

ISTVS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM

ISTVS Year Four veterinary students recently undertook a commendable community outreach program, focusing on assisting camel herders in Sheikh, Somaliland. Given the crucial role camels play in sustaining livelihoods within the region, the initiative aimed to diagnose and confirm diseases prevalent among camel herds through both field examinations and laboratory analyses.

These outreach endeavors not only provided invaluable hands-on experience for ISTVS students in field epidemiology, disease surveillance, and community engagement but also made significant strides in enhancing animal health and welfare within Somali's pastoral communities. Moreover, such initiatives serve as a platform for fostering collaboration among academia, the Ministry of Livestock, and local communities, thereby addressing the health needs of camel herds and promoting sustainable livestock production systems.

14/03/2024

Thanks to the IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School
Igadstvs Office of the Principal, we've significantly bolstered student capacities in and , evident with over 362 graduates! This underscores our dedication to regional prosperity. Beyond shaping students' futures, the school's impact ripples throughout neighbouring communities. Here, students actively address pressing concerns of pastoralists, tackle urgent animal health issues, and contribute to the sustainable development of these communities.
🌍🌱

14/03/2024

30/12/2023

Production of adequate and good quality feed for livestock
Inadequate quantity and quality of feeds is the major constraint affecting livestock production and productivity in the region.
ISTVS trained Community-based animal health workers on practical skills and knowledge of feed and fodder production. Increasing the availability of feed and fodder in the region should improve the health and productivity of the livestock, and should build drought-resilient communities, this should change the livelihoods of pastoral and agropastoral communities in the region.
CAHWs with IGAD STVS lecturers visited a local Modern Agricultural Holding Company for feed and fodder production in the Togdheer region of Somaliland. The Modern Agricultural Holding Company was established in 2023 to cover the region's increased demands of livestock feeds and fodder. ISTVS graduate leads the company from Dry Land Agriculture. Mr. Mohamed Ahmed has briefed the CAHWs on the farm capacity, the number of feeds produced per month, and the varieties of feeds produced, currently 50 hectares of feed and fodder have been planted for the last 5 months, however, the plan is to plant all the 500 hectares of the farm.
Sustainable and good quality feed and fodder production technology exposure such as field visits, and demonstrations provide a chance for farmers to learn and apply similarly in their villages.
# DroughtResilience

28/12/2023

IGADSTVS’s Comprehensive Approach for Health and Sustainability
IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School (IGADSTVS) provided an invaluable hands-on experience for Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) trainees by putting them in the busy environment of Burao Livestock Market, the region's largest market. Organized into four distinct groups, the trainees meticulously assessed different aspects of the livestock value chain. One group focused on market activities and actors, scrutinizing buying and selling patterns and roles played by various stakeholders. Another team examined the presence and functionality of animal clinics, emphasizing the well-being of the livestock. Simultaneously, students traced the entire market chain, identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement. Lastly, all groups evaluated small enterprises within the market, such as fodder sellers and tea shops, to understand their roles and impact. This systematic approach allowed CAHWs to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market, facilitating targeted recommendations for enhancing its health, efficiency, and sustainability, benefiting both participants and animals also gives CAHWs to improve their knowledge capacity and this will in turn help their communities when they go back to their respective villages.