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Sudan by M. E. A. El Tom Introduction
Sudan is the largest country in Africa and the 10th largest in the world with a population of about 29.5 million in 2000. Sudan had a per capita income of $290 in 1998. Civil strife has cast a heavy shadow on Sudan ever since it embarked on self-rule in 1954. Of the 46 years since then, the country has been at war with itself for 34 years (with a short hiatus from 1972-83).History
Gordon Memorial College (GMC), opened in 1902 as a primary school, which eventually expanded and upgraded, and as of 1939, its higher schools provided post-secondary training in a variety of programs. In 1945, the University of London entered into a special relationship with GMC whereby courses for London degrees were instituted in arts, science, law, agriculture, and engineering.The Kitchner School of Medicine (KSM) was founded in 1924. GMC and KSM were merged in 1951 into the University College of Khartoum. The University of Khartoum (UK) was established in 1956.
The number of higher education institutions in 2000 stood at 26 public universities and 21 private universities and colleges. In 1999-2000, the system admitted 38,623 students, representing 68.8% of total applicants.
Enrollment
Student intake jumped from 6,080 in 1989 to 13,210 in 1990-91 and 38,623 in 1999-2000. The number of female students rose to 40% of enrollment in 1995. However, the continued increase in the proportion of female students has not been accompanied by a comparable increase in their representation among faculty: merely 13% in 1995.The number of public institutions increased from 5 universities and 1 polytechnic in 1989 to 26 universities in 1996 (the one polytechnic, KTI, was promoted to university status). The number of private higher education institutions increased from 1 in 1989 to 16 in 1996 and 22 in 2000. The number of students enrolled in private higher education institutions increased nearly 9-fold within 4 years: from 2,686 in 1990-91 to 23,476 in 1994-95.
Sudanese Universities: 1995-96University of Khartoum
Omdurman Islamic UniversitySudan University for S & T Gezira University Juba University Quran Kareem University Total Source: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Statistics 1996. Governance and Administration
The chancellor, who is the president of the republic, appoints the president, as well as the majority university council members. Political commitment is of paramount importance in the appointment to senior administrative posts. Thus the academic rank of vice-chancellors of several universities is lecturer.Funding and Resources
In 1994-95, the approved budget for 26 universities was about $9 million. During the period 1989-90 to 1994-95, the approved development budget fluctuated between 6% and 18.5% of the proposed budget. The librarys’ budget during 1992-98 consisted entirely of salaries and wages. Furthermore, subscriptions for periodicals declined in 1987 and subsequently discontinued in 1993.Research and Publishing
The politicization of higher education has relegated research to a secondary requirement for promotion purposes. Research budgets have practically disappeared from university budgets during the past decade.Out of a total of 3,339 publications for the Sudan during the 27-year period 1973-99, Sudanese universities’ share is about 76.3%. However, research output during the 1990s decreased by about 22% from its level in the 1980s for the country; University of Khartoum saw a 30% declined.
Gender
In 1999-2000, the system admitted 38,623 students, representing 68.8% of total applicants. Of these, 60.9% were female and the proportion of those admitted to private institutions was 16.5%. The continued increase in the proportion of female students has not been accompanied by a comparable increase in their representation among faculty which was merely 13% in 1995.Note: For detailed account on the state of higher education in Sudan please consult M. E. A. El Tom, African Higher Education: An International Reference Handbook (Damtew Teferra and Philip. G. Altbach, Indiana University Press, 2003), pp. 563-573.
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