By Johnson Mangar (Dokish)
A delegation from South Africa, comprising members from the Department of Science and Innovation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and South Africa National Space Agency, recently embarked on a five-day visit to the University of Juba, South Sudan. The purpose of the visit was to discuss potential collaboration with the University of Juba and assist in the establishment of the Mayardit Academy for Space Science.
Upon their arrival, the delegation was cordially received by Dr. Khidir Abdalla K. Deng, the Interim Director of the Mayardit Academy for Space Sciences (MASS). The group was led by Mr. Itumaleng Makoloi, Acting Chief Director, of Space Science, Space Systems, Department of Space Science & Innovation, Pretoria, South Africa.
The Ambassador of South Africa to South Sudan also accompanied the team to the University of Juba, where they conducted opening discussions with the University of Juba Senior Management regarding the areas of collaboration.
Following the inaugural meetings, the visiting team and the ambassador were led on a comprehensive campus tour by Prof. John A. Akec, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba and Director of Mayardit Academy for Space Sciences. The team visited the Computer Lab, Unipod Centre, STEM Centre, and Geographical Remote Sensing labs, among others. The team expressed admiration for the rapid development at the University and commended the University of Juba for the significant strides achieved.
The primary objective of the visit was to assist in the establishment of the Mayardit Academy for Space Sciences and explore other areas of collaboration. Additionally, the team discussed the possibility of establishing a joint Master’s Degree program between the University of Juba and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
The visiting team and the interim body of the Mayardit Academy for Space Sciences at the University of Juba conducted a public lecture at the Senate Hall on the topic “Increasing Public Understanding of the Contribution of Space Technologies to Socio-Economic Development.”