The administration of the Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in the Jonglei state capital, Bor, has announced the reopening of the institution after a two-year closure.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abraham Matoc, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that the registration is now ongoing as the institution reopens after remaining closed for two years due to the Covid-19 lockdown and logistical challenges.
“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,” Professor Matoc said. “We started on 24 January. The registration process is now ongoing and lectures commenced a week ago.”
He stressed that lectures will continue uninterrupted for all continuing students to help cover for lost time.
Lueth Reng, a student, said he was happy 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,” Reng said. “So, I will now prepare to cope with school life again.”
For his part, Ajith Solomon, the university’s student guild president, applauded the reopening 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,” 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 include Upper Nile University, University of Juba, Bahr el Ghazal University and Rumbek University.
Over the past year, several peaceful demonstrations were held by the students to demand resumption of studies as the institution remained closed after the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown was lifted. The university administration at the time said they would not resume because there was no food for the students.