The University of Burao is an independent university established in 2004 in Burao, Somalia. It has been ranked as the 51st best university in Africa according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities. The university has two campuses; the main campus is located in the north-western suburbs (Shab) of Burao, about two kilometers from the center of the city. The site has a fenced area of about 3.75 hectares and consists of: The second campus is still in the planning stages. It will consist of 25 hectares acquired for the university that are located at about 5 kilometers from the city center. It has five colleges and two centers: The first students were registered in September 2004. There are 167 pupils enrolled in four colleges and 430 in a short-term training program designed to upgrade the skills of the primary teachers in the region. The University has a board of trustees responsible to the Togdheer Development Committee, and a president who is accountable to the Board of Trustees and who is in charge of the day to day affairs of the university.