A pact to establish Alexandria University branches in the South Sudanese capital Juba and the town of Tonj was reached on Monday between Egypt and South Sudan.
South Sudan’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Gabriel Changson Chang, and President of Alexandria University, Abdelaziz Konsowa, signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Cairo, according to a release from Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
“The South Sudan branch will open two campuses, one in Juba and one in Tonj. The message stated in part, “Tonj Campus will open first at any point in 2024.
According to the announcement, among other subjects, the intended university branches will include programs in biotechnology, engineering, business, nursing, veterinary medicine, education, and agriculture.
As per the agreement, students will be admitted in accordance with Alexandria University’s admission standards. If financial resources permit, exceptional students may be permitted to study for a full academic year on the campus in Egypt.
Establishing university branches will pave the way for further collaboration between the two nations in higher education, according to Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour, who made this statement during the signing ceremony in Cairo.
He stated that the Egyptian government is prepared to enhance collaboration between the institutions of the two nations and offer all required accommodations to South Sudanese students studying there.
Gabriel Changson Chang, for his part, thanked Egypt for continuing to support his nation in a number of ways and stated that the deal represents a significant step toward South Sudan’s development of higher education.
He further said this cooperation will strengthen the relationship between the two countries in the education sector. Arguably, he noted that as a result of this cooperation, South Sudan would be able to gain a lot through the exchange programs at the university.
He emphasized that the Memorandum of Understanding might take effect in 2024, but he did not specify when it would go into action.
The MoU will give optimism to Tonj and South Sudan in general, according to Dr. Anei Mangong Anei, coordinator of the Alexandria University branch in South Sudan.
“As South Sudanese and the people of Tonj in particular, the signed Memorandum of Understanding gave us full hope regarding its nearest opening,” he stated.
The operationalization of Alexandria University in Tonj, he continued, is a much-anticipated initiative