The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated 20 desktop computers and a projector to Upper Nile University to enhance learning and research at the institution.
The university, which relocated to Juba in 2014 due to safety concerns during South Sudan’s civil war, previously operated in Malakal — one of the areas hardest hit by the conflict.
The donation is part of UNDP’s broader program supporting public universities to strengthen research capabilities.
During the handover ceremony Tuesday, UNDP senior economic advisor Ligane Sene said the initiative, in partnership with the African Development Bank, aims to empower South Sudanese youth through research opportunities.
“We are proud to provide these ICT resources, along with capacity-building support, including statistical tools like STATA,” Sene said. “This will help students conduct data analysis, develop research proposals, and present their findings effectively.”
He added that the equipment would benefit not only the economics department but also other faculties and contribute to the university’s computer facilities.
Flora Eliab Severino Lado, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor for administration and finance, thanked UNDP for its continued support, noting the challenges of operating as a displaced institution.
“We appreciate the Central Equatoria government for providing temporary space, but the current environment limits our ability to expand and meet growing educational demands,” she said.
Lado said the donation would improve research and help the university provide policymakers with critical data.