President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed Professor Robert Mayom as Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba (UoJ) and re appointed Professor John Akec as the institution’s new Vice Chancellor, according to a presidential decree issued on Thursday.
The decision marks a significant leadership change at South Sudan’s oldest and most prestigious public university.
Professor Akec, a respected academic and administrator, previously served as Vice Chancellor and is expected to steer the university through ongoing academic, administrative, and financial challenges.
No official explanation was immediately provided for the removal of Professor Mayom. However, the move comes amid mounting concerns over governance, staff welfare, and academic standards at the University of Juba.
The reappointment of Professor Akec has sparked mixed reactions among students, lecturers, and the wider academic community, with some welcoming the return of an experienced administrator, while others are calling for broader reforms within the institution.
The University of Juba plays a critical role in higher education and national development in South Sudan, and observers say the new leadership will face urgent tasks, including restoring stability, improving staff conditions, and strengthening academic credibility.
Further details are expected as the Ministry of Higher Education and university authorities implement the presidential directive.
