The institution was founded in 1998 by
Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam. Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam is the founder of the University of Hargeisa, which was established in between 1998 - 2000. Fawzia is the First woman Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, first woman Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, and also an advocate for women's rights. She is an influential leader in Somali politics and communities. In early 2024, she was nominated by Somalia to run for the African Union Commission Chairperson position. Since its establishment, the university has collaborated with many academic and international partners in different capacities, including
UCL, King's College,
Harvard University,
UCSI,
International University of Africa, and other local universities in the horn of Africa. == Leadership ==