Rev Bro. Amori installed the third Vice Chancellor of Catholic University
The new Vice Chancellor has committed to strengthening academic excellence and promoting innovative teaching through technology, promising to enhance academic excellence in line with the institution’s identity
By Chuol Chanyong
The Catholic University of South Sudan on Monday witnessed the installation of Rev. Dr. Bruno Amori Dada as the third Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The installation ceremony was conducted by H.E. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, the Chancellor of the University.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including government officials, religious community ambassadors of the United States, Germany, and the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan.
In his inauguration speech, Rev. Bro. Dr. Amori committed to strengthening academic excellence and promoting innovative teaching through technology. He promised to enhance academic excellence in line with the university’s Catholic identity during his tenure.
“Integrating digital tools into classrooms to improve learning accessibility and resilience. Regularly updating curricula to meet evolving job market demands, including expanding postgraduate programs. Addressing challenges like high staff turnover and rising costs. Overseeing infrastructure development, including new lecture halls, to accommodate growing student numbers.”
The appointment came after His Eminence Cardinal Stephen Ameyu, President of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, appointed Rev. Dr. Bruno Dada as the new Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of South Sudan. He replaces Fr. Dr. Mathew Pagan, who served in the role for 12 years.
He expressed his deepest respect and gratitude to the Catholic Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan for their trust and confidence.
He also thanked all other stakeholders, students, and the entire university community for their support.
Dr. Amori paid tribute to the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Mathieu Pagan, for his significant contributions. “Rev. Mathieu will be remembered for numerous achievements, most notably for spearheading the expansion of this university to other dioceses and acquiring more land for its development,” he stated.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathieu Fagan, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to lead the university since 2012.
He recounted the immense challenges faced during his tenure, which began just one month before the outbreak of civil war in 2013.
“I stood before the closure of the university, with no money to pay staff if the war continued.”
“Despite these trials, a major achievement was securing the university’s national accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education in 2017, a process that took three years. When we arrived, the university was not accredited or registered. We started work immediately in 2014,” Fagan recalled.
He concluded with a prayer for his successor, “I pray for Rev. Dr. Bruno. I pray that the conflicts of the past will not occur during your time and that the Lord grants you the strength, patience, and humility to lead effectively.”
The Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, Archbishop Séamus Horgan, commended all those who helped build the institution.
“Though this university is young, it has achieved exceptional success in a very short time,” he said.
“On behalf of the universal Church and His Holiness Pope Francis, I offer praise and congratulations to all who have contributed. When the Church opens such institutions, it intends for them to last—to serve generation after generation of students, forming their minds, hearts, and souls. This is the goal of a Catholic University.”
Archbishop Horgan extended his gratitude to the outgoing VC, Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathieu Fagan, for his “excellent leadership over more than a decade.”
He expressed great optimism for the university’s flourishing future under its new leadership.
The Catholic University of South Sudan is a private institution of higher education established in 2008 with support from the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference and the Sudan Relief Fund.
Its main campus is in Juba, with additional branches in Wau, Rumbek and Yambio.
The Wau campus was opened in 2013 and offers specialized programs such as Geology and Mining.
The university provides undergraduate and diploma programs in fields such as Arts, social sciences (Juba), agricultural and environmental sciences (Wau), economics, business administration, education, computer science, engineering, and mining (Wau).
It is one of the few accredited universities in South Sudan.
