Akech: Juba University Today Is Better Than Yesterday

(Juba) – Professor John Akec, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba and now Managing Director of Akech Consulting Limited, praised the ongoing transformation of South Sudan’s oldest and largest university during remarks at the Juba Economic Forum.

Speaking to business leaders, educators, and policymakers, Professor Akech stated, “The University of Juba of today is better than yesterday, this week is better than last week, and the coming month is better than this month.”

The University of Juba has, in recent years, expanded its programs, improved its infrastructure, and attracted new academic staff.

Akech’s indicated that these efforts are bearing fruit, as the university positions itself as a leading hub for education and innovation in South Sudan.

Professor Akech played a central role in initiating several reforms during his time in office as a former vice chancellor.

The University of Juba (UoJ), founded in 1975 to train civil servants for the then autonomous government of Southern Sudan, has grown into South Sudan’s largest and most comprehensive public university.

Situated in the heart of Juba, the capital city, the institution now serves approximately 40,000 students from across the country and region.

Since admitting its first students in 1977, the University of Juba has expanded steadily over the decades. Today, it operates 23 Schools, 3 Colleges, 4 Institutes, and 7 specialized Centres.

The university has positioned itself as a national leader in teaching, research, and postgraduate education, with more than 5,000 students currently pursuing advanced degrees.

The institution’s central location in downtown Juba gives it access to government agencies, NGOs, research bodies, and businesses, enabling collaborative opportunities that enrich academic and professional development.

Initially created to provide training for public administration and governance, the University of Juba has adapted over time to the country’s evolving educational and development needs. It offers a wide range of programs, from medicine, engineering, and economics to social sciences, law, and environmental studies.

Despite periods of national conflict, limited infrastructure, and funding constraints, the university has remained committed to its mission. Its ability

to attract and retain students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels is seen as a sign of institutional resilience and growing public trust in the higher education system.

The University of Juba has contributed greatly to South Sudan’s human capital development, particularly by producing skilled professionals needed in government, industry, civil society, and academia.

The institution which began as a response to regional educational gaps during Sudan’s civil wars has now become a symbol of rebuilding in the independent Republic of South Sudan.