Sudan Elevates Higher Education Funding to Bolster Academic Excellence
Khartoum, March 25, 2026 – The Sudanese Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is undertaking significant initiatives to enhance the working environment and compensation for its academic and support staff. Minister Professor Ahmed Modawi Musa has emphasized the ministry’s commitment to recognizing the crucial contributions of faculty members and supporting personnel in maintaining the integrity of the educational process and upholding academic standards. These efforts are specifically focused on improving salaries and establishing robust remuneration structures that reflect the esteemed status of university professors.
These pronouncements were made during a pivotal meeting chaired by the Minister, dedicated to the allocation of financial support from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to higher education institutions. The session, held at the ministry’s conference hall in Khartoum’s Mineral Tower and accessible remotely via Zoom, convened vice-chancellors from public universities.
Minister Musa articulated the state leadership’s profound respect for university professors and their indispensable roles. He reiterated the consistent acknowledgment of higher education institutions as fundamental pillars for achieving broad national development and cultivating human capital. This is primarily achieved through their central function in nurturing qualified professionals, advancing scientific research, and contributing to societal well-being.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has responded with alacrity to the approved 2026 budget, significantly increasing financial allocations to universities. A substantial sum of 21 billion Sudanese Pounds (SDG) has been earmarked to address several key areas: improving the service conditions for employees within public institutions, including faculty, teaching assistants, and administrative staff; covering operational and administrative expenses; and funding essential training programs.
The distribution of these funds, designated for staff remuneration, will be channeled directly to university accounts. The allocation is structured across three primary objectives: enhancing the overall service conditions for employees in public higher education, facilitating professional development through faculty training, and ensuring the uninterrupted continuity of the educational process.
Significant Salary Increases for Academic Staff Announced
Manal Ahmed Al-Sayid, Director-General of Financing and a member of the government support distribution committee, provided specific details regarding the financial uplift. A notable sum of no less than SDG 11.9 billion has been specifically allocated to bolster professors’ salaries. This initiative aims to establish a minimum salary threshold for academic ranks:
- Full Professors: Will receive a minimum salary of SDG 1 million.
- Associate Professors: Will earn a minimum salary of SDG 900,000.
- Assistant Professors: Will have a minimum salary of SDG 850,000.
Furthermore, Al-Sayid indicated that additional salary scales and adjustments will be communicated through an official circular to all public higher education institutions, ensuring comprehensive clarity and implementation.
The financial support also extends to non-academic personnel. Salaries for this vital group have been similarly redefined, with an allocation of no less than SDG 7 billion dedicated to this category, underscoring a holistic approach to improving the welfare of all staff within higher education.
Committee Praised for Equitable Distribution Framework
The meeting also acknowledged the commendable efforts of the government support distribution committee. This committee, established by decree from the Head of the National Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research and chaired by Undersecretary Ali Al-Sheikh Al-Sammani, comprises vice-chancellors and deputies from various universities. The committee has been instrumental in developing clear criteria and standards for the equitable distribution of government support across public higher education institutions. This meticulous approach is designed to ensure fairness and foster stability within the educational sector.
