JUBA, South Sudan – In a significant effort to bridge the digital divide and strengthen educational opportunities for displaced learners, the University of Juba, in partnership with the African Higher Education in Emergencies Network (AHEEN) and with support from the Mastercard Foundation, hosted a landmark computer distribution ceremony at the UNIPOD, University of Juba, on 17 July 2026.

The initiative provided laptop computers to Refugee and Displaced Persons (RDP) scholarship students, with a primary focus on refugee students and returnees who have fled the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. By enhancing access to digital learning resources, the program aims to improve academic success, promote digital literacy, and strengthen the long-term socio-economic resilience of beneficiaries.

The ceremony was officiated by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba and attended by representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, alongside development partners, university leadership, faculty members, and students. Their presence highlighted the Government of South Sudan’s commitment to promoting equitable access to quality higher education and ensuring that displaced and vulnerable populations are fully included in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

The computer donation initiative reflects the shared commitment of the University of Juba, AHEEN, and the Mastercard Foundation to expanding access to higher education, fostering digital inclusion, and equipping refugee and displaced students with the technological tools and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital and knowledge-driven world.