President Salva Kiir Mayardit has instructed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and the National Council for Higher Education to initiate the legal procedures for creating and reorganizing three public universities in Central Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap states.

Issued on Friday in his role as Chancellor of all public universities, the directive calls for the immediate statutory transition, approval, and accreditation of these institutions as required under the Higher Education Act, 2012.As part of the order, the existing University of Northern Bahr el Ghazal will be redesignated and renamed the University of Aweil. All its assets, liabilities, land, and staff will be transferred to the new entity once the formal statutory approval and accreditation are completed.

In Warrap State, President Kiir directed the establishment of the University of Kuajok. Assets, facilities, personnel, registries, and land currently held by Kuajok Community College will be handed over to the new university following the completion of the required legal processes.In Central Equatoria State, authorities are to set up the University of Yei, with administrative rights, properties, and facilities provided by state and local governments to be assigned to the institution after formal approval.

The directive tasks the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology with appointing interim leadership for the three universities. The minister must also prepare institutional charters, academic programs, and transitional arrangements for submission to the National Council for Higher Education for official approval and accreditation.

The universities are expected to deliver high-quality teaching, conduct scientific research, and run community outreach programs. Key focus areas will include agricultural technology, crop production, mechanization, forestry, science and technology, and environmental resource management.

President Kiir further instructed the Ministry of Finance and Planning to provide startup grants and ongoing operational funding for the institutions through the national budget.

State governments in Central Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap have been directed to extend administrative support, allocate land, and ensure security to speed up the setup and growth of these universities.

The presidential order did not indicate a timeline for completing the statutory processes or when the universities will start admitting students.