Bor, Jonglei State – On April 7, 2026, Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology (JGMUST) welcomed a high-level delegation from the World Bank, led by the Project Director and other key staff. The visit focused on evaluating the university’s preparedness for the upcoming Diploma in Digital Agriculture, a program made possible through World Bank funding.
The delegation’s primary objective was to assess the readiness of the academic staff who will deliver the program and to verify the availability of essential teaching and learning materials. The program is scheduled to officially commence on April 20, 2026.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Prof. Abraham Matoc Dhal, Vice Chancellor of JGMUST, and Prof. Dr. Hawa Marjan Abdullai, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. They were joined by deans, directors, and the cohort of lecturers who will be responsible for instructing students in the Digital Agriculture diploma.
During the session, World Bank officials engaged directly with faculty members to evaluate their technical and pedagogical readiness for the curriculum, which integrates precision farming tools, data analytics, and mobile agricultural extension services. The delegation also inspected laboratory equipment, computing resources, and proposed field demonstration sites to ensure that all necessary infrastructure is in place.
In his remarks, Prof. Abraham Matoc Dhal reaffirmed the university’s commitment to leveraging technology for agricultural transformation. “This program represents a strategic step toward modernizing agriculture in South Sudan. Our staff are prepared, and we are grateful to the World Bank for their continued partnership,” he said.
The World Bank Project Director expressed satisfaction with the progress made and commended the university’s leadership for their transparency and dedication. “We came to verify readiness, and we leave encouraged. The caliber of lecturers and the strategic planning evident today suggest that this program will serve as a model for digital agriculture education in the region,” he said.
The Digital Agriculture Diploma is part of a broader World Bank initiative to enhance food security, create youth employment, and drive technology-led agricultural innovation in South Sudan.
Classes for the first cohort will begin on April 20, 2026, at the Main Campus of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology.
