Egyptian scholarships to benefit over 2,000 S. Sudanese
April 11, 2014 (CAIRO) – At least 2, 500 South Sudanese students are set to benefit from scholarship opportunities extended by the Egyptian government in various disciplines.
The revelation came during an official visit by South Sudan’s education minister, John Gai Yoh to the Egyptian capital, Cairo this week.
“The education offer is to help in improving quality of education in the new nation after decade of war,” said Gai, who also visited South Sudanese studying in Cairo.
The minister, who led a delegation of educationalists from his country, held series of meetings with his Egyptian counterpart to solicit ways of improving the education sector.
Wael El Degwi, Egypt’s minister of higher education said his government would continue supporting South Sudan’s education ministry.
Separately, Prof. Osama Ibrahim, the head of the Alexandria University said the branch of the university should be established in Juba, with a subsidiary in Tonji, Warap state, adding that most of the donors prefer the capital Juba.
He disclosed that the Arab contractors are ready to execute the work for the establishment of the university in the young nation.
Prof Osama further said the budget was ready and work would soon commence.
Minister Gai said South Sudan universities will cooperate with the Egyptian government in a various sectors in education, sciences and technology.
He said 2,500 scholarships will help the students from South Sudan to obtain better educations in various parts in the Country.
“The official visit to Egypt is aimed to see avenue where South Sudan can benefit from the Cairo as South Sudan is reviewing its high education policy,” Gai said.
The minister further told Sudan Tribune that Juba and Cairo earlier signed a memorandum of understanding, seeking to review cooperation in education between the two countries.
A series of exchange programmes, he further disclosed, would take place among lecturers from South Sudan and Egypt in the areas of sciences and technology.
“Cairo agreed help south Sudan in establishment of her laboratories in both higher and general education,” said minister Gai, adding that this would be done after an assessment was carried out in schools and institutions across the country.
(ST)