Following years of collaboration, the University of Khartoum and UNDP Sudan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on a number of upcoming peace and development projects.
The partnership sees the University’s Energy Research Centre (ERC) become the technical advisor for the installation of 450 Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)/UNDP-funded solar-powered water pumps for agricultural irrigation in River Nile State.
As part of the 450-pump project ERC will research needs and opportunities for farmers, and design the solar pump systems, building on previous technical support to UNDP in the establishment of Sudan’s first Solar Lab, and studying the potential for wind energy in Red Sea State.
“Sudan’s development challenges like energy, climate change, agricultural expansion and peace cannot be addressed in isolation, and require the best minds to achieve success,” said UNDP Sudan’s Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran. “We’re thrilled to formalize this relationship in support of Sudan’s development goals.”
Various University departments will also collaborate with UNDP Sudan’s Accelerator Lab, exploring innovative ways to apply new technologies and solutions to Sudan’s development challenges, and increase youth ideas and perspectives in development processes.
Simultaneously, University and UNDP departments will partner on policy research for governance, human rights, poverty alleviation, environment and climate change, peace, and development during Sudan’s transition period, and support south-south and south-north cooperation in a range of areas.