The Indiana University of the United States has announced scholarships for South Sudanese students to study Master’s Degree in education at the University of Juba.

The two year-program worth $2.5 million is funded by the United State Agency for International Development, USAID.

Earlier this year, 14 South Sudanese female students attained master’s degrees in education on emergencies from the same University in the US.

This time round, however, the director for international outreach and development at Indiana University, Ariene Benitez, says the students will study at the University of Juba.

“We will be recruiting 20 students, men and women, and offer them scholarships ….through USAID funding,” Ms Benitez said.

She says the focus is on education to help reduce illiteracy rate in South Sudan, where more than 70% of the population cannot read or write.

Ms. Benitez spoke during a public lecture at the University of Juba on Tuesday.

This project will not be in the United States it will be here in Juba for two and we will be accepting Women and Men.”

Ms Benitez said application forms will be available for applications next week until the 30^th of November.

(Additional information by Emmauel Akile)