The University of Al-Daein in Sudan’s East Darfur State and the University of Juba in South Sudan have signed a five-year renewable cooperation protocol.

The representatives of the two institutions signed the protocol on Tuesday in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in the presence of joint working committees from both sides. This followed successful negotiations that lasted seven days.

Vice Chancellor Professor Ali Younis Breima signed on behalf of the University of Al-Deain while Deputy Vice Chancellor for Practical and Academic Affairs Professor Isaac Cleto Hassan signed for the University of Juba.

Prof. Cleto thanked the University of Al-Deain dons and students who attended the signing ceremony at the University of Juba.

Dr. Al-Sadiq Abdullah, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Al-Deain told Radio Tamazuj that the agreement includes exchange programs.

“The Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities was signed on Tuesday in Juba with significant administrative representation from both universities, in addition to a representative of Al-Deain University students residing in Juba,” he said. “The agreement includes academic exchanges, exchange of professors, and students between the two universities."

The memorandum primarily targets undergraduate students from the University of Al-Deain who are unable to continue their studies at the main campus of Al-Deain University due to the ongoing war in Sudan.

Dr. Abdullah said the agreement involves the six applied colleges of the University of Al-Deain and said the five theoretical colleges will be included in the agreement later.

He stated his university looks forward to establishing a center within the University of Juba soon. The academic praised the role and academic excellence of the University of Juba, calling for leveraging the experience in all circumstances, and thanked the institution for opening up to neighboring countries.

On his part, Professor Prof. Mairi John Blackings, the University of Juba Academic Registrar, said the deal also stipulated that the University of Juba would host and accommodate students from the University of Al-Deain who have been displaced by the ongoing war in Sudan.

“The agreement includes the enrollment of the University of Al-Deain students at the University of Juba to continue their studies according to the acceptable standards with the possibility of addressing faculty issues at the University of Al-Deainat at a later stage based on important roles,” he said.

Prof. Blackings confirmed that 25 students from the University of Al-Deain attended the ceremony because they are continuing their studies at University Juba University, adding that the university will admit more students in the next academic year.