After decades of war and economic, social and political marginalization, South Sudan is starting from scratch in every sense of the term. Extensive capacity building, along with economic and infrastructure development, delivery of basic services and security, is key if South Sudan is to become stable and prosperous. It can be argued that all the above will largely depend on having qualified and competent leadership on the local, regional and the Government of South Sudan levels.
The aim of the South Sudan Executive Leadership Programme is to prepare South Sudanese government officials for future leadership positions. In their studies, learners focus on strategic policy studies, security, leadership, development studies, research for policy development, international relations, conflict management, and international law and finance.
The future of South Sudan, whether as part of a united Sudan or an independent country, depends on having competent leadership on all levels, capable of contributing to post-war development, reconstruction, security, and formulating and managing long-term strategic policies. This programme will play an important role in developing qualified personnel within the structures of the Government of South Sudan.
South Sudan Executive Leadership Programme, now in its second year, is divided into three groups of 16 learners and planned to run until 2015. The programme is managed and implemented by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Business School Leadership Academy in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The Leadership Academy provides a number of modules on leadership and works in collaboration with other NMMU departments and other South African experts to provide the best possible educational programme and accommodate the needs of the learners and the Government of South Sudan.
Learners who complete the programme will be better equipped to contribute to the Government of Southern Sudan in terms of:
- Planning, formulating and managing coherent strategic policies
- Contributing in post-war development, reconstruction, and conflict management
- Understanding regional and global issues related to international relations, diplomacy and international law
- Responding to matters of safety and security of the people of South Sudan
The structure of the three-year programme includes:
- Thirty six core modules
- One residential two-month-long semester per year at the NMMU Business School Leadership Academy in Port Elizabeth
- Month-long learner enrichment programme in South Sudan once per year
- Fundamental modules including Academic writing skills, English language skills and computer skills
- Continuous tutoring support programme
Selection of Learners
The learners in the South Sudan Executive Leadership Programme are selected by the Government of South Sudan from a pool of highly experienced officials who in the past had no opportunity to complete higher education due to the war. In addition, all learners have to meet the NMMU Business School entry requirements.
Diploma and Certificate
Learners who meet all the assessment criteria after completing the three-year qualification will be awarded an MDP (Management Development Diploma Programme) in Strategic Policy Studies and Transformational Leadership (360 credits) and will have an opportunity to continue their studies (provided they meet with the entrance requirements for other qualifications/institutions). Learners will also have an option of exiting the programme after one academic year and receiving an ALP (Advanced Leadership Certificate) in Strategic Policy Studies and Transformational Leadership (120 credits).
