Norway recognises the pivotal role higher education plays in terms of nation-building processes. Universities continue to be both educational and political institutions in Sudanese society. Transparent and free student elections have taken place since 2003 and the Norwegian Government encourages this significant development.
History of collaboration
The University of Bergen and the University of Khartoum collaborated as early as the 1960's, when the Norwegian Professor Fredrik Barth established relations with Sudanese academics. At first, social anthropology was the main discipline of collaboration, but later a whole range of other scientific areas were involved.
During the 1970’s, an extensive exchange of research personell and students took place between the two institutions. A formal agreement of co-operation was established in 1981. This bilateral academic collaboration is the largest ever between a Norwegian academic institution and a higher education institution in a developing country. At one point it involved almost all scientific disciplines at the University of Bergen.
Model agreement
The initial agreement between the University of Bergen and the University of Khartoum has become the model for Norwegian university cooperation with developing countries. It is referred to as the Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Higher Education (NUFU). This programme for academic research and educational co-operation is based on equal partnerships between institutions in the South and in Norway.
Acknowledging the importance of education with regards to national development, the programme aims for capacity and competence building within higher educational institutions, in order to enhance poverty reduction.
A new start
After the coup d’etat in 1989 and during the civil war, relations were strained and in 1992 the agreement was not renewed due to a concern for the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan, which also affected the freedom of academic institutions. With the signing of the CPA in 2005, new opportunities have arisen for a continuing development of bilateral relations between academic institutions.