Sudanese University Students Prepare to Resume Studies Despite the Continuing War
(AWP) - The Red Sea University in Port Sudan, in the East of the country, has begun receiving students in preparation for the resumption of studies after months of hiatus caused by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), ongoing since April.
The university has set exam schedules for the final years, while studies will begin for diploma level students, in line with the Sudanese Sovereignty Council decision to reopen universities in all states with stable security.
A number of students spoke to AWP of their happiness at resuming their studies, especially those who are few months away from graduation, while others expressed their sadness at the absence of many of their colleagues.
The university will not be able to host all students, due to their housing being repurposed to shelter displaced Sudanese who fled to Port Sudan from the state of Khartoum more than six months ago.
The university faces several challenges in restarting classes: professors and other workers have not received their salaries, few administrators have remained, and there are insufficient financial resources to maintain the facilities.
In an exclusive comment to AWP, University Director Abdul Kader Badawi said that the university will implement special accommodations, such as a virtual distant learning system for students who cannot attend classes on site amidst the ongoing war.
Thousands of Sudanese students have fled the country to continue their studies abroad as a result of the war that shows no signs of ending, while thousand of others are still trapped in states where battles continue, such as Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan.