Juba University Vice Chancellor Prof. Robert Mayom speak at a forum during the International Human Right Day|Photo by Moses Awan

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba has rejected the appeal for the return of the students’ union saying their involvement in politics risk closure of the campus, adding that he priority his to provide quality education.

This was during a panel discussion on the International Human Rights Day at the campus premises on Tuesday, 10/12/2024.

The student union was suspended in 2012 after some students fought on campus on a tribal basis, an incident the university said was contrary to its initial plan to make the institution a tool for transformation in South Sudan.

One of the students James Malual who is a second-year student at the College of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Juba, appealed to the University Administration to reopen the students’ body to enable students to channel their grievances.

Speaking during a panel discussion on accountability and human rights in South Sudan, Malual said reopening the student will enable them to express and raise their concerns to the administration.

“When came to this university, I realized that the student body was here, but it was ban. I don’t know why but I believe maybe it was seen as a threat to the administration

“Professor, as you pledge today to committee yourself to advocate for human rights, can we revive that student’s body for us students to express the voices and the challenges that are facing us in this campus because that is the only body that will give us voice to the administration”, asked the student.

Responding to the concern, the University of Juba’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Rubert Mayom said he does not encourage students to involve in political activities in the campus.

He urged the students to use their college’s associations to channel their grievances.

“If you read what I wrote there, I promised to advocate for the rights of the youths in this country. To me the right I am going to give you is quality education, I promised I am going to give you that.

‘For the schools now, we have organizations for the various schools, associations are there you can voice your grievances through those associations but not through political activities.

“I am telling you, I will never accept it as long as I’m the Vice Chancellor because I know if I come tomorrow and allow you to come and talk politics, the university is going to be closed, do you want to spend another one year or two years outside, asked back the VC.

Professor Mayom went on to say that the suspended student body were being used by unnamed politicians and political groups to pass their agenda through the university.