Libyan delegation visits Sudan

Delegates toured Open University of Sudan Khartoum - Abedalgoum Ashmeag A delegation of Libyan officials has visited Sudanese universities in a bid to develop higher education and scientific research links between the two countries. The delegates were given a tour of Open University of Sudan (OUS) and University of al-Jazirah in Khartoum. Libyan and Sudanese officials discussed plans to increase cooperation in the fields of higher education and scientific research, including the implementation of a staff exchange programme which would see Sudanese lecturers travelling to Libya every so often to share their educational experiences. The Libyan delegation is expected to hold a meeting with Sudan’s Higher Education Minister Khamis Kago Kunda, to sign an agreement of cooperation between the two countries. In a statement, member of the Libyan delegation Aboul-Qassim Mohamed Shaloof said that his country is committed to expanding cooperation with Sudan on several fronts. "Libya needs to benefit from Sudan’s experiences in higher education, scientific research and health," he added. An anonymous source from Sudan's Ministry of Higher Education told Arabstoday that the cooperation between Sudan and Libya had been significantly affected due to political differences between the Sudanese government and Libya's former dictator Muammar Gaddafi. However, since the Libyan revolution and the overthrow of Gaddafi, relations between the two states have flourished, with the Libyan government turning to Sudanese experts for help and support during the rebuilding process.