On Tuesday, September 13th, 2024, the School of Social and Economic Studies of the University of Juba hosted an inductive workshop on Phase II of the Postgraduate Research Project under the funding of the African Development Bank and Implemented by UNDP in the Senate Hall.
Dr. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, Principal of the Graduate College, expressed his gratitude to the UNDP and the African Development Bank for their support in launching a program in 2019 that sponsored 30 students to promote economic development over the next 3-5 years. He highlighted the importance of the program’s second phase, which aims to provide essential financial assistance to students facing research challenges while ensuring a transparent selection process involving international experts. Dr. Nyuon also underscored the need for crucial software to establish fully operational labs, benefiting the School of Social and Economic Studies and the wider University of Juba community, and concluded by wishing success to the students in their proposals while thanking the supporting organizations.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Megami conveyed greetings to Professors; Bol, Abraham, Jacklin, and Professor Isaac Cleto, expressing his honor to represent UNDP. He emphasized the program’s aim to enhance capacity at the University, specifically through the provision of technical support, including desktop resources, to improve student efficiency. Acknowledging the challenges faced by South Sudanese students, Dr. Megami highlighted the vital role of research in addressing these issues and encouraged students to contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He underscored the importance of publishing in international journals to enhance competitiveness and stressed that South Sudan must excel in research to compete effectively globally.
Mr. Anyang Johnstone introduced the Postgraduate Program to advance research on South Sudan’s economy, supported by the African Development Bank and UNDP in partnership with the University of Juba’s School of Social and Economic Studies. The initiative seeks to enhance data systems, bolster parliamentary capacity, and facilitate public investment programs, benefiting postgraduate and undergraduate students across five public universities. He outlined a structured six-step process for research proposal development, ensuring alignment with strategic development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 30 students ultimately selected from 100 applicants, who will receive grants and academic support. Mr. Bol Atem further clarified the program’s framework, emphasizing the role of national academics and external experts in supervising students and detailing the proposal requirements which cover essential academic components. A final report will summarize the program’s outcomes for the university management and UNDP.
Prof. Justo Wani Jada, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, underscored the importance of the School of Social and Economic Studies at the University of Juba, established in 1977. He expressed optimism about enhancing research in South Sudan with adequate funding but warned against limiting data collection to Juba alone. He raised concerns about the proposed budget’s inadequacy for comprehensive research, urging funders to reassess their financial support for researchers navigating logistical challenges across the country. Prof. Jada called for a holistic research approach that yields significant findings relevant to global scientific discussion, rather than allowing them to remain unutilized within the university.
Prof. Isaac Cleto, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, expressed his greetings to Prof. Robert Mayom Deng, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, Prof. Justo Wani Jada, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, newly appointed Dr. Jacklin Benjamin Warille, the Dean of Social and Economic Studies, representatives from UNDP, students, and funders from the African Development Bank. He highlighted the significance of the milestone project for the School of Social and Economic Studies, particularly the Department of Economics, acknowledging the benefits received from Phase 1. Prof. Cleto conveyed optimism for the second phase, emphasizing that it would provide clear opportunities for participants to demonstrate their performance and contributions to the project’s success.
Prof. Robert Mayom, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, highlighted the competitive nature of the program, emphasizing the importance of this educational opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills and the necessity of writing proposals. He expressed gratitude to UNDP and AfDB for their support and reflected on the evolution of academic standards since the inception of the University of Juba in 1977, noting the shift from requiring a PhD for teaching to allowing those with master’s degrees to teach. Prof. Deng stressed the imperative of producing research alongside teaching, referencing a recent example from South Africa where a student’s lack of publications hindered their PhD application despite their academic excellence. He urged students to focus on publishing their work to be competitive on an international scale, encouraging them to elevate their standards and gain recognition as published scholars.