South Sudan cabinet allocate USD 5 million for Rumbek University

By James Dak

August 22, 2008 (JUBA) — The Southern Sudan cabinet decided in its regular meeting held today to allocate 10 million Sudanese Pound (5 mln USD) to the establishment of the Rumbek university that the president of the republic pledged to the citizens of this state.

During a visit to the capital of the Lakes state on February 14, 2006, president Omer Al-Bashir promised to establish the fourth university in southern Sudan in Rumbek. Since the implementation of the project has been discussed on the federal and southern Sudan levels.

The Council of Ministers Friday resolved to contribute to the establishment of a new university of Rumbek with a sum of ten million Sudanese pounds to facilitate the work of the University’s Vice Chancellor and his deputy to prepare for the construction of University of Rumbek and to estimate its required budget.

If established, University of Rumbek will be the fourth Southern Sudan university after Juba, Upper Nile and Bahr el Ghazal universities.

The first Juba University is operating now in Khartoum but preparations are underway to relocate it to the capital of southern Sudan. Also the Upper Nile University started to relocate its faculties from Khartoum to Renk and Malakal towns.

Al-Bashir before the signing of the CPA also pledged to establish universities in Aweil, Bentiu and Torit, respectively.

The Government of Southern Sudan has a long term plan to establish a university in each of the ten Southern Sudan states. It currently embarks on providing free basic education for all and promoting establishment of secondary schools in various counties to eradicate illiteracy in the region.

(ST)