South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who also serves as the Chancellor of Public Universities, announced a significant reshuffle of Vice Chancellors and their Deputies on Friday evening. The presidential decree, broadcasted on the state-owned media (SSBC), detailed the changes.
Prof. John Apuruot Akec, the long-serving Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, was relieved of his duties, along with Prof. Kimo Aban Adibieo, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Robert Mayom Kuriot, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
The replacements include Prof. Robert Mayom Kuriot as the new Vice Chancellor, with Prof. Isaac Kleto Hassan Rial as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Justo Wani Jada as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
At the University of Upper Nile, Prof. Yohanis Edward Odhok, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Billy Bato Madison, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, were relieved of their positions. In their stead, Prof. Mamur Chol Turuk was appointed to replace the late Prof. Marial Awow Yol as Vice Chancellor. Prof. Ambrose Samuel Jubara is now the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Flora Ayoha Saverino Ladu assumes the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
President Kiir further announced a series of changes at the University of Bahr el Ghazal. Prof. Victor Laku Kwajok, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Atem Deng, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Hawa Abdallah Marjan, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, have been relieved of their positions.
In their place, Kiir appointed Prof. Erneno Bernardo Ochi as the new Vice Chancellor, with Prof. Rose Adak Costa Mapuor as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Kuel Maluil Jok as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
Additionally, Prof. Abraham Mathok Dhal, Vice Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, along with Prof. Wani Ladu Worja Pitia, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Kuel Maluil Jok, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, have also been relieved of their roles.
Prof. Abraham Mathok Dhal has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor, supported by Prof. Hawa Abdallah Marjan as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Francis Soria Galuak Garuong as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
Furthermore, President Kiir announced changes at the University of Rumbek for Science and Technology, where Prof. Deng Manasi Mark Aluong, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline E. Riak, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. James Agustino Majak, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, have been relieved of their duties.
To fill these vacancies, Prof. Joshua Otor Akol has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor, with Prof. Pauline E. Fulla Riak as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Prof. Shirak Khamis Abuanja as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.
President Kiir did not provide specific reasons for these changes.
In additional decrees, President Salva Kiir Mayardit made key appointments to the Council of the National Bureau of Standards. The appointed members include:
1-Dr. Agol Malak Kuai – Minister of Livestock and Fisheries
2-Taban Charles Lupai – Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
3-Nazik Nyanath Duper – Consumer Protection Association
4-Kuyok Abol Kuyok – Ministry of General Education and Instruction
5-Laura Tete Lino – Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism
6-Yoa Achuol Lidia Soso – South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture
7-Alfred Makur Ngwec – South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture
8-Dr. Dhal Thic Mathok – Ministry of Health
9-Leo Okwahi Lole – Ministry of Trade and Industry Directorate of Industry
10-Joseph Lueth Weljang – Ministry of Trade and Industry Directorate of Commerce
11-Dr. David Abuol Amum – Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology
In a separate decree, Kiir appointed Gloria Nyoka Joseph Lagu as the Executive Director of the National Bureau of Standards and Secretary to the Council of the National Bureau of Standards.