Somali Graduation Journal

Over 100 people attended an event to celebrate the launch of the second Somali Graduate Journal at the Office of Ethnic Affairs in Wellington on Thursday 10 December.

Similar events have been held in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. The first edition was launched in Hamilton last year and driving the project is editor Abdirizak Abdi, who works for the Ministry of Education in Hamilton.

Abdirizak says the journal brought to the surface the hidden successes of the Somali community in New Zealand.

"The journal not only educated many people who otherwise would have little knowledge about the Somali community's success in education but also made an impression on the Somali community as a whole in terms of realising the achievers within themselves and taking stock of their success."

Graduate Mohamed Hassan, Patrick Fitzgerald from Squiz Net NZ and friends.

In 2008-09, 38 Somali students graduated from universities and other tertiary institutes in New Zealand. There are more than 170 men and women currently studying in tertiary education institutions.

Somali quota refugees first arrived in New Zealand in 1993 and there are now around 2,000 settled in communities.

The average age in the New Zealand Somali community is 19 and more than 50% are under the age of 16.

There are also a number of business success stories highlighted in the journal, four businesses in Hamilton, one in Wellington and three in Auckland.

For more information about the journal, please email Abdirizak Abdi 
Below Issa and Hussien, Mothers attending the graduation ceremony