Juba, South Sudan
January 31, 2022—The administration of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Jonglei state’s capital, Bor, has announced the reopening of the institution after it had been shutdown for two years.
In a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia, Prof. Abraham Matoc, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, says the registration has now kicked off as the institution is reopened after remaining closed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic related challenges and logistical shortage.
According to Professor Matoc, the institution was initially shutdwon due to COVID-19 but the lockdown was further extended due to lack of food for students.
“First, we were closed because of Covid-19 and then after that, there was a problem of food for the students. But now the contractors are paid so that is why we had to resume our academic program,” Prof. Matoc said in a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia.
The institution has now resumed admission and lectures have also began.
“We started on 24 January. The registration process is now ongoing and lectures commenced a week ago.”, he added .
Prof Matoc stressed that the lectures will continue uninterrupted for all continuing students to help them recover from the two-year closure.
Mr. Lueth Reng, a student at Dr. John Garang Memorial University, said he was very excited with the resumption of studies.
“I am happy that the university has reopened. For the last two years we have been moving about with no work, so , I will now prepare to cope with school life again.”, Reng expressed with excitement.
Mr. Ajith Solomon, a students’ leader, appreciated the decision and called on the administration to commit to keeping the institution open.
“As the student’s body, we are overwhelmed by the decision. The students are happy and coming for registration but we do not want the scenario to repeat itself,” students leader Ajith said.
Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology is one of the public universities in the country. The other institutions of higher learning includes Upper Nile University, University of Juba, Bahr el Ghazal University and Rumbek University.
Last year, a number of peaceful demonstrations were held by students protesting the closure of the institution and appealed to the administration to open the University so that they resume their studies; however, the administration justified its decision arguing that there were so many challenges affecting operationalization of the institution such as covid-19, food shortage and lack of logistical support.
