SOUTH SUDAN: UNIVERSITY ACT FOR SOUTH SUDAN IS UNDERWAY

A government official has said that the process of making the University Act to govern the functioning of institutions of higher education in South Sudan is underway, explaining that the Act will help resolve the present challenges facing universities and other institutions of higher education.

This was said by South Sudan Assistant Minister of Higher Education, Gabriel Kuch Abyei while addressing members of the local press in Rumbek on Thursday after holding a meeting with the staff of Rumbek University.

Mr. Kuch said that the law to govern the functioning of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education in South Sudan is yet to be established, clarifying however that the draft of this law is being circulated to experts for their input before it is passed on to the Council of Ministers and later to Parliament for ratification.

He expressed optimism that the establishment of the University Act will help resolve the current challenges facing Universities and Institutions of Higher Education in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Rumbek University, Prof. Michael Maker Mangony, said that the University lacks facilities, among them, lecture halls, dormitories, and dining halls.

Prof. Maker added that the University postponed the admission of the over 600 first year registered students until a time when adequate facilities for them will be provided, revealing that these students are mainly returnees from East Africa.

He said that the second year students started their courses in August. The Assistant Minister, a native of Lakes State who vied for the position of Governor on ANC ticket during the last General Election, was in Rumbek to oversee the preparations towards the reopening of the Rumbek-based University.