By Jenifer James
The students at Upper Nile University threaten to go on strike for the relocation of the three faculties to Renk and Malakal and the prolonged closure of the university. This comes in a press conference on Friday where the students gave 72 hours to go on strike if the government failed to act.
Speaking to the media, the Guild president of Upper Nile University Students Union, Samuel Malith Bol, said the students expressed the concerns regarding the prolonged closure of Upper Nile and relocation of the faculties to Upper Nile.
We express our concerns regarding the relocation of three faculties: Education, Agriculture, Forestry & Health Science. We urge the Vice Chancellor and the University Council Chairperson to immediately suspend the relocation of these faculties to Renk; this decision was made without consulting the students and poses significant challenges, including insecurity in the area. High transportation costs and lack of food and accommodation for the students and staff,’’ Samuel said.
Samuel calls upon the government concern offices, such as the Ministry of Higher Education, to engage with the students and address the pressing issues before 72 hours.
“If our voices are not heard within the next seventy two hours, we shall conduct a demonstration or a strike within the campus and the office of the vice chancellor for two days, that is, on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th, 2025.’’ Samuel said.
Last year, the government renewed a call to take the Upper Nile University back to Malakal, to prioritize the university’s relocation to Malakal as part of efforts to rebuild and strengthen the region