Preliminary investigation and analysis of the impact of the Sudan War on higher education and scientific research sectors

Abstract

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began on 15 April 2023, has caused widespread destruction in the infrastructure and services, including universities and reserch institutions. The war has led to mass displacement and severe insecurity, forcing citizens to flee. This study presents a descriptive statistical analysis of the war impacts on displaced Sudanese academicians, researchers, administration officials, and students. An online survey was launched in February 2024 to obtain information on the war impacts between April 2023 and August 2024. Results indicated a high rate of displacement in the targeted groups, a preference to cross borders to Egypt, struggles in the continuity of students' education and relaying of asynchronous online teaching, and dramatic changes in monthly expenses due to war-related inflation which caused financial struggles and professional disruptions. The outcomes could be linked to broader issues such as food insecurity, healthcare destruction, and environmental challenges worsened by climate change. The findings stress the urgent need for international support, fellowships, and collaboration to rebuild Sudan's academic sector and facilitate recovery and development in the post-war era.