The United Nations Development Programme has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Juba to develop a University Innovation Pod-UNIPOD. UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Doe and Vice Chancellor for the University of Juba Professor John Akech signed the MoU.

Dr. Doe welcomed the partnership, saying UNDP and partners hoped that by supporting universities with innovation, young people from the University of Juba would join the ranks of global innovators, saying that the world’s major innovative companies were founded by young people during their university years. ‘Young people, no matter their socio-economic status, tend to see themselves as relatively freer to take risks in their choices, more than at any time in their adult lives.’

The University of Juba Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Akech, concurred with the UNDP Resident Representative and said the university was looking forward to the full operationalization of the UNIPOD.  ‘Such initiatives are a booster to the innovation aspirations of the university; we are thankful to UNDP, and we look forward to supporting our students.’ He said. 

The Africa Timbuktoo University Innovation Pod, supported by UNDP, is a unique initiative located in a top technical public university with the objective of supporting youth innovation. Through the initiative, UNDP is supporting more than six countries, including Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Gabon, Rwanda, Guinea, and Togo