Cranfield University, a leading UK institution renowned for its aviation programs, has announced the Abdinasir Abdirahman Aviation in Africa Scholarship, a £5,000 award aimed at supporting African students pursuing an MSc in aviation-related fields. The scholarship, offered by the Cranfield Centre for Air Transport Management, honors the legacy of Abdinasir Muse Dahable, a Somaliland aviation expert and Cranfield alumnus who was tragically killed in Mogadishu, Somalia, in November 2024.
Abdinasir, a passionate advocate for aviation development in Africa, was brutally murdered in what Somaliland officials have described as a retaliatory act amid ongoing airspace disputes with Somalia. His death sparked outrage, with Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling for a thorough investigation and urging Somalilanders in Mogadishu to remain vigilant. The incident underscored the fragile regional dynamics between the breakaway Somaliland Republic and Somalia, as Somaliland continues its decades-long pursuit of international recognition—a hope bolstered by recent elections and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the incoming Trump administration, as reported by Reuters in November 2024.
The scholarship, open for applications until May 30, 2025, targets African students accepted into Cranfield’s full-time MSc programs, such as Air Transport Management, starting in October 2025. Applicants must submit a personal statement and may be required to participate in a virtual interview with the Course Director. The £5,000 award will be applied as a tuition fee reduction for overseas students, fostering the next generation of aviation leaders in Africa—a mission Abdinasir championed during his lifetime.
Abdi Cirro, a Somaliland advocate who shared the announcement on X, expressed gratitude for the tribute, stating, “Abdinasir Muse Dahable, who was brutally killed by Somalia’s failed state a year ago, is now being honored by a British university with an educational scholarship dedicated to aspiring pilots & future aviation leaders in Africa. May Allah have mercy on him.”
Cranfield University, a top postgraduate institution in the UK, is known for its world-class aviation facilities and programs addressing digital, technical, and sustainability challenges in the industry. The scholarship aligns with broader initiatives like the ISTAT Foundation Scholarships, which also support young aviation professionals globally.
As Somaliland navigates its quest for recognition and regional stability, the Abdinasir Abdirahman Aviation in Africa Scholarship stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring that Abdinasir’s vision for a thriving African aviation sector endures. Interested students can apply online through Cranfield’s official website.
For more information on the scholarship and application process, visit www.cranfield.ac.uk.