Bahja Shuriye Email & Phone Number

I am dedicated to advancing youth and women's economic empowerment by equipping them with entrepreneurship and technology skills. As the Lead of Women Enterprises Development at SIMAD iLab, SIMAD University, I specialize in fostering innovation and supporting the growth of women-led businesses. My experience includes serving as a two-time six-month Gender Fellow at Crosswise Works, where I focused on women-related projects and published articles on entrepreneurial perceptions and education-to-work transitional challenges for women in Somalia.In addition to my role at SIMAD iLab, I work with SecDev as a researcher on women's digital safety. I also contribute to the Somali Business Review (SBR) on women's entrepreneurial and workplace issues in Somalia. I am also a young researcher at the SIMAD Center for Research and Development (CRD), focusing on women's empowerment, financial inclusion, and economic development.I am actively involved in the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community as the curator of the Mogadishu Hub. I also contributed to addressing the SDGs through my engagement in UNLEASH Hack Somalia as a facilitator, which contributed to improving my ability to facilitate an innovation process. As a mentor at SIMAD iLab and a certified ITC trainer in Digital Entrepreneurship, I guide and inspire emerging entrepreneurs. My contributions have been recognized as I was the World Bank Blog4Dev 2020 winner for Somalia.Academically, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from SIMAD University, Somalia, and Honours and Masters degrees in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town-South Africa. Additionally, I have completed a MicroMasters Program in Design Thinking at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York.My diverse experiences have enriched my expertise in Social Development Studies, and I am humble, responsible, adaptable, and motivated to create positive change!.