The President of the Republic today inaugurated in Juba the National Council of Higher Education, a body of 40 members that will act as the highest policy making authority to guide education system development in South Sudan.
President Salva Kiir Maryardit congratulated the members of the council in his inaugural speech.He said he hoped that the National Higher Education Council will transform education in South Sudan by setting up correct policies.
He wished the members success as he believed they got what it takes to face the challenges before them.
Higher Education Science and Technology Minister Peter Adwok Nyaba said the council is the policymaking body for the ministry and higher education institutions in South Sudan.
He said the council meets twice a year to lay down policies that govern higher education institutions and work through permanent and specialized scientific committees.
Prof Adwok explained that the mandate of the council includes approving academic programs offered by higher education institutions and approving private and foreign higher education institutions in South Sudan.
Prof Adwok added that the council will discuss strategies to strengthen and make higher education relevant to socio-economic development of the country.
The undersecretary at the Higher Education Ministry, who is the Secretary of the Council, Seberino Frajallah explained that the National Council of Higher Education is made up of 40 members.
He said the main group are the vice chancellors of the five functioning universities, the chairpersons of universities’ councils, scientific committees, and the directorates in Higher Education Ministry as the permanent members.
Prof Frajallah explained that the specialised scientific committees are made of experts from the universities.
They are responsible for deliberating on the issues of curriculum and facilities in public and private universities in South Sudan.