Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong has appealed for contributions to operationalize Torit University of Science and Technology (TUST).
According to the governor, an initial SSP 437 million is required to kickstart the institution’s operations, starting with the colleges of engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine and animal production, and business administration and management in the 2025/26 academic year.
In a letter seen by Radio Tamazuj, Lobong states that the TUST will reduce the cost for students to enroll elsewhere in the country or other countries. It further says that the university will motivate those who dropped out of school due to financial constraints and other factors to resume studies and enroll for on job training, leading to economic development and production of a skilled workforce.
TUST was established by a presidential decree dated 18 April 2010, and a vice chancellor was appointed by another decree in May 2010.
“I am therefore appealing to national institutions, the people of Eastern Equatoria State in the country and in the diaspora, local governments, friends of the state, all non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, the donor community, and well-wishers to contribute towards the immediate operationalization of TUST”, the letter reads in part.
Several citizens welcomed the move by the state government and joined the governor in calling for contributions.
Charity Idiongo, a resident of Torit, said the university would help learners, especially females, continue with their studies or learn new skills.
“Even married women can enroll without being worried about leaving their families behind if they go to universities far away from home. I would like to thank the government for this initiative because some of us still want to study,” she said. “We also have many people who have completed Senior 4 and are doing nothing because they cannot afford a university education far away. So, it is good that the government is bringing university education nearer.”
For her part, Valerie Afara Ohiri, the Head Teacher at Fr. Saturlino Ohure Senior Secondary School in Torit Town, welcomed the move to start TUST’s operations.
“Most students who have been getting good results could not make it to Juba, and some are just loitering here,” he stated. “Let us contribute as the community and own the university, which will be regulated by the government.”
Meanwhile, Betty Ichenga Joseph, a student at Torit Day Secondary School, believes studying far away from home makes it difficult to cover the associated costs.
“Studying far away is costly and might not be safe, and I appreciate the government’s move to start the operations of TUST because it will help us a lot.”