Higher Education and Sustainable Development in South Sudan

After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has been ravaged by Civil War, and the ongoing security crisis has hampered the development of infrastructure and public services. In spite of these challenges, the higher education system has grown rapidly, with five public and 13 private universities now operating. While the flagship University of Juba has gone from strength to strength, a number of smaller private universities have emerged with commercial motivation and dubious levels of quality. This presentation explores the range of work of South Sudanese universities across teaching, research and community engagement. The research maps the activities to assess the presence of the thematic areas associated with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the balance between them and gaps in provision. It also draws on interviews with senior management of universities and focus groups with students to explore understandings of and critical engagements with ideas and practices of sustainable development in the context of continuing conflict. Findings show that security risks and lack of resources hamper the day-to-day functioning of institutions and their ability to maximise their potential. Nevertheless, institutions – in many cases against the odds – are making significant contributions in key areas of basic education, health and peace-building.

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