NCA EMPOWERS FUTURE ICT PROFESSIONALS WITH AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT

University of Juba SCIT students and NCA experts during a facility tour highlighting practical insights into telecommunications regulation.

The National Communication Authority continues to demonstrate it’s commitment to fostering ICT sector development and building skilled workforce by opening its doors to 90 students including some fifth-year students from the University of Juba's School of Computer Science and Information Technology (SCIT), accompanied by Dr Lilly Odwa, the Assistant Professor of Communications and Information System as well as the Deputy Dean of Administration together with Mr. Anthony Jungo, the head of Computer Science Department. This educational visit, held at Gumbo NCA-HQ, was part of the teaching activities at the science department which marks a significant step in the NCA's commitment to bridge the gap between academia and industry, reaffirming its role in fostering a digitally empowered future for South Sudan.

This visit is a direct response to the need for connecting classroom learning with the realities of the telecommunications regulatory environment. By providing students with hands-on learning opportunities and direct engagement, the NCA addresses the scarcity of such opportunities to interact with the institution that shapes South Sudan's communications landscape. This event underscores the NCA's broader commitment to nurturing the next generation of ICT professionals.

The day was structured as a blend of insightful presentations and key topics were presented to the students whose curriculum includes routing protocols, network architecture, and cybersecurity focused on the NCA's core regulatory and security functions.

Discussions and presentations included,

• Frequency Allocation & Monitoring by the Spectrum Management Department.

• Cyber Threat Detection & Response by the Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT).

• National Cybersecurity Framework & Awareness by the Cybersecurity Department.

• Cyber safety and literacy Awareness by the Digital Right Frontline.

• Data Handling, Storage & Infrastructure by the Data Center Unit.

• Domain Name (SS) by the Domain Name Department.

NCA Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Labanya Marthya also took the opportunity to emphasize online safety for students, reminding them that the digital footprint is hard to scrub off the internet. She encouraged students to focus on building a vibrant community online and adhere to best Cybersecurity practices to avoid falling victims to social media engineering and posting content that could cause trauma or hurt fellow students.

In her opening remarks, Lilly Odwa, the instructor of the day, expressed her gratitude to the NCA for welcoming the students, highlighting the visit’s relevance in connecting classroom theory to real-world communication regulation and security as she noted the rarity of such opportunities for the students. "We look forward to an insightful and interactive session, more visits in the future, and internship opportunity for our students," said Dr. Lilly Odwa. She further emphasized that no textbook or lecture can fully substitute the practical, insightful learning gained from engaging directly with the institution.

The visit concluded with a comprehensive tour of the institution's facilities, offering students practical experience and an understanding of the regulatory body's operations.

This initiative is a crucial link between theory and practical skills, empowering students with the knowledge needed to thrive in a digital world. For the students, the experience was an inspiration, encouraging them to consider contributing their skills to the vital work of the ICT sector in South Sudan. By connecting academic learning with real-world regulatory and security challenges, the NCA demonstrates a future where innovation and expertise go hand in hand.

The expression of enthusiasm for continued engagement, future visits, and internship opportunities by the SCIT leadership suggests a pathway for formalizing and expanding this partnership therefore, National Communication Authority plans to continue hosting such visits to uphold its mandate of building a robust telecommunications framework while continually bridging the academia-industry gap to familiarize and prepare students for real world opportunities.

By hosting this vital educational visit, the NCA continues to align with its mandate, demonstrating its commitment to building a knowledgeable and skilled ICT workforce in South Sudan. The Authority encourages other educational institutions and partners to engage responsibly and actively with the NCA to help shape a secure and innovative digital future for the nation.