Addressing Food Security Needs in South Sudan Through University Rebuilding

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Catholic University of Sudan/University of Juba are implementing a comprehensive plan to restore higher education curriculum and research capacity in South Sudan.This infrastructure-rebuilding effort is poised to help post-conflict South Sudan to confront and resolve its severe food security problems.

The partners are developing a strategic long-term plan for building agricultural capacity that responds to the extraordinary food security and human capacity development needs of the newly-established nation of South Sudan after many years of civil and political conflict. In addition, the effort will further strengthen Virginia Tech’s commitment to internationalize the teaching, research, and extension programs of its faculty and graduate students.

This partnership will:

• Produce high-quality graduates in agriculture, using program review, faculty exchange and advanced degree training programs; as well as distance and distributed learning (DDL) across universities
• Generate knowledge through relevant, high-quality research
• Create a valuable university-based outreach program
• Establish an effective and dynamic South Sudan–U.S. university partnership