Universities under siege: The impact of the Sudanese war on the sustainability of higher education in Sudan

Abstract

This study examines the multifaceted impacts of the ongoing Sudanese war on higher education. A quantitative research approach was used to analyze how Sudan’s ongoing conflict impacts academic continuity, faculty and student displacement, and institutional sustainability, through surveys with Sudanese university professors and displaced students, as well as statistics and reports from the United Nations and international organizations. The findings show that between April 2023 and December 2024, 104 higher education institutions were directly affected, mainly Khartoum and Gezira. The conflict has caused mass displacement of students and faculty, significantly disrupting academic continuity. The study contributes to the growing literature in the field of conflict and education with insights into the issues facing administrators, professors, and students in higher education institutions in conflict zones so that policy responses can be tailored to address the adverse effects of war on higher education and protect education system for the future.

Keywords

Sustainability Higher Education Sudan War Universities

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