Staggering like a drunkard, the University of Juba did not collapse despite the efforts exerted on it by those who had wanted Southern Sudanese to suffer illiteracy.
After independence, the University of Juba was expected to stand on its own feet as a mother university, but the political differences to which an end is being put did not spare it. Some politicians thought destroying higher education would make them win the fight. So, the University of Juba became the grass on which the politicians fought.
In March 2014, Prof. John Apuruot Akec got appointed as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, a position he held until relieved in March 2024. So, if you see the Administration Block, do not think it was as tall as it is in 1975. It was only two floors, the third floor was atoped by Prof. John Akec. Whether it would be a surprise to you or not, get informed that the Office of the Chancellor, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, is in the third floor.
If you see Al Samani Hall, do not think it was as clean and furnished as it is in 1975. Recently, in 2017 to be exact, Al Samani Hall was a sanctuary place for bats, bees, rats, termites and pigeons, but John Akec solicited for funds and renovated it to such a heightened level. If the 550 MPs are tired of Freedom Hall and want to hire a new hall, let them hire Al Samani Hall. If you see the iconic gate, do not think it was built together with the university in 1975, it was built recently by Prof. John Akec. The ones built with the university are the western gate, eastern gate and the main gate is that opposite the Staff Club.
The University of Juba had its own Sudd Wetland. The area behind the Department of Architecture from the Medical Laboratory, formerly Political Shelter, through French Institute to the University Garage, was the Sudd Wetlands of the University of Juba. Students who missed the croaking of frogs could line up along the wetlands to listen to the beautiful songs of frogs. But today, you can find shiny buildings for Architectural Schools, French Institute and the Medical Laboratory in that area, all built by Prof. John Apuruot Akec.
The Department of Animal Production was a thick bush, housing wild animals, such as snakes, squirrels, birds, etc. Birds could sing any song they wished to sing, using any of the two national languages, with a majority singing in Arabic. But Prof. John Akec turned such a dangerous forest into a cool harmless canopy where students sit, read and understand much better than they can do in the main Library.
The biology laboratory had all its chemicals expired and become toxic and so, it was abandoned to only one lecturer, an old man with grey hair whose days are numbered on earth. He had looked forward to dying of chemical poisoning, but chemicals rejected him. Today, the biology laboratory is the cleanest building, equipped with up-to-date chemicals and other stuff. The university playground was a dumping site and grazing zone for cattle, but under the chancellorship of Prof. John Akec, it was transformed into a beautiful football pitch.
Students were afraid of lingering around the Clock Tower because the thick glass on the screen of the clock had broken. So, students thought it would fall on them and cause injuries. But today, both the tower and the clock are alive and well. Who knew Custom Campus was part of the University of Juba? People thought it was a tail of the Nyakuron market. But Prof. John Akec fought tooth and nail to claim it from land grabbers and fixed lecture halls and offices in it, making it a property of the University of Juba forever.
The University of Juba was looked at as an abandoned institution, but after a massive renovation by Prof. John Akec, you would now move on paved ground, climb up and down steady stairs and sit in a hall with the ceiling and unrusted iron sheet. One would think Prof. John Akec is related to Wangari Mathai. Looking around from one college to another, you would see green trees and flowers blossoming, thus elevating the view of the environment. These trees and flowers were planted following professional procedures and workers were employed to water them on daily basis.
However much of an academic calendar could fluctuate, it would not cross to another year during the time of Prof. John Akec. He would make sure an academic calendar begins in February or March and ends in September or October, or else it ends in December if there is an uncalled-for that has happened in between. As far as intangible achievements are concerned, Prof. John Akec has done a plethora of things, making his shoes too big to be filled. Now, the University of Juba operates year in, year out and this is John Akec’s making. The list of Prof. John Akec’s achievements is too long.
Among the Vice Chancellors of the University of Juba since its inception, two are exceptional; Prof. Al Samani Abdalla Yacoub and Prof. John Apuruot Akec. Such a charismatic leader like Prof. John Akec should be given one assignment after another. Remember he is ageing, we need to get the best out of him before senescence pushes him to the periphery. Since there is a big rat in the house, why can’t it be replaced with John Akec?
Thanks for reading “Sowing The Seed Of Truth”.