To enhance academic research at South Sudan’s public universities, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in collaboration with the African Development Bank, has donated 20 desktop computers and a projector to Upper Nile University.
During the handover ceremony, Assistant Professor Yien Bol, dean of the university’s Faculty of Economics and Social Studies, expressed gratitude to the UNDP team for their support in strengthening research capabilities.
Bol emphasized that access to research tools is crucial for students, particularly in data collection, saying, “We appreciate the UNDP Economic Advisor and his team for supporting research capacities and making data collection easier for our students. Without this assistance, data collection would have been a major challenge. For that reason, we are truly grateful.”
He assured that the university will utilize the ICT equipment for data analysis and presentation, benefiting both students and lecturers, urging UNDP and the African Development Bank to extend similar support to other departments such as statistics, accounting, and finance.
Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Professor Flora Severino, thanked UNDP for strengthening the university’s research infrastructure.
“A strong academic sector is key to shaping policy and supporting effective decision-making. Well-equipped national institutions and trained students are essential for producing quality research data,” Professor Severino remarked.
Meanwhile, UNDP representative Dr. Ligane Sere reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting public universities in South Sudan, emphasizing the critical role of academic institutions in shaping the country’s future.
“We believe that universities play a crucial role in training the next generation in policy-making and strengthening intellectual capacities. On behalf of UNDP, I want to reaffirm our strong commitment to advancing higher education research quality,” he said.
The university, devastated by war, and underwent recent renovation, has yet to fully relocate to its premises. The donation is expected to enhance research opportunities, allowing students and faculty to access better resources for academic studies and policy development.
