Policy-makers have come up with a
vision for higher education in South Sudan. South Sudan achieved independence
from Sudan last July to become Africa’s newest state and of the nine public
universities in South Sudan, only five are operating. President Salva Kiir Mayardit
stated, “Universities are the nucleus of national development; no country can
prosper without strong institutions of higher education.” He also said, “Put
your minds together and come up with well-studied recommendations and plans for
strengthening our institutions.” Some of the problems facing three of the
oldest universities are a shortage in qualified staff, a lack in basic
infrastructure, and inadequate lecture halls, libraries, and other needed
buildings. However, they are developing new policies, reviewing and upgrading
all programs so that they meet the needs of the new nation. One thing they have
already welcomed is an improved pay structure for the professors. The higher
education minister also announced his plan to give priority funding to the five
operating universities and their other important projects under way.
Unlike other places that I have been
learning about while doing these current events, South Sudan seems to have done
a lot of work to try to improve their institutions. Since they declared
independence, the government of the Republic of South Sudan had to start from
scratch with developing their plan for the universities. Former secretary for
academic affairs at the University of Juba, Charles Bakheit has been
instrumental in giving numerous suggestions on how to advance their higher
education. I think that this former secretary can provide great insight into
developing the new reforms and those who are involved should take his ideas
into consideration given his past experience. One of his ideas is to postpone
opening the other universities and concentrate on building up the five that are
already operating. This is a great plan because South Sudan would be spending
more money in trying to open up the other five on top of renovations and
rebuilding of the already operating universities. South Sudan is dealing with
the same issues that regular public schools that are not universities are dealing
with and it will be a constant progression as long as these places stay
committed to the cause.
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