By Pal Chol Nyan, Juba, South Sudan
Thursday, January 30, 2020 (PW) — The University of Juba was one of the most prestigious public Universities in the region in general and South (ern) Sudan in particular. It was founded in 1975 three years after the Addis Ababa Agreement that granted South Sudan an autonomous body known as High Executive Council. It was tasked to run the administrative and the political affairs of Southern Sudan in consultation with the central government in Khartoum.
Unfortunately, the 1972 deal was abrogated in a decree by President Nimeri. He said it wasn’t a Bible or Quran. He moved to divide the South into three regions and appointed Governors who used to report to Republican Palace. Coming to the point about the University, the first students were admitted in 197. Dr Samani Abdela Yagoub was the first Vice-Chancellor.
The construction of the University of Juba was a collective responsibility and concerted efforts by the people of South Sudan under the auspices of the HEC. Resources were mobilized for it across South Sudan. It was called the centre for Relevance and Excellence. In 1983, with the outbreak of the second civil war, the University was transferred to Khartoum and later relocated fully to Juba in 2011 following the attainment of Independence.
Before its relocation, the premises of the University were in bad shape.
Most of the buildings were used as a residential areas by the popular defence forces, the Jihadists who were fighting the SPLM/A. All structures were destroyed giving it an ugly shape. With the appointment of Prof Dr John Akec Apuruot Akec as a VC, there are currently a lot of improvements and renovations going on. More Colleges are being established.
The University will in the nearest future catch up with the region in terms of physical infrastructures and qualified staffing. It is offering specialised courses. This morning I took a leisure walk in the campus of the University of Juba when I went to see some friends and acquaintances. There is actually a progress being made. The work is ongoing in earnest. There are tangible changes.
With that being said, let me take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Prof Dr John Akec for the good work he is doing. It is good to give the devil his due. There is a real maintenance and refined work within the University. There are many jolly students roaming about interactively in the campus and chatting under the trees with smiles. This means there is peace in the University of Juba.
There is harmony given the association I see with and among the students. The Administration Block is busy with people coming in and out to check their admissions and have other outstanding cases settled. I also had to go and say hi to some of them known to me. They were Go ahead Prof John! You are making a name for yourself.
The author is an opinion writer and reachable at palcholnyan2016@gmail.com