The Nihal European University in Sudan

According to Sudanese law all non-governmental educational institutions are private enterprises. They can thus be organized in any of the forms provided for under Sudanese law. In the case of the Nihal European University in Sudan and its associated institutions we should find a form of corporation that allows for important business matters to be implemented by the Management (in the manner, for example, of a German GmbH; at present a Sudanese attorney has been retained for determining the appropriate form). This executive leadership will be compensated on a salary basis, while transfers from the operating funds are not permitted. To reassure the finance-providing institutions, a board of directors could be formed that would be given certain veto rights in the area of finance. The financial goal of the enterprise would not be profit but fiscal solidity.

Inasmuch as the Sudanese government is interested in attracting foreign investment and building a solid educational system with sufficient capacity, we can safely assume that in the first twelve years our institution will be granted extensive tax breaks as well as “operative real estate” at advantageous conditions (including the concession of a license at no cost).

At the same time, the Nihal European University in Sudan will operate according to the principle of academic self-governance. In this sense the individual faculties and departments as well as the faculty senate will be administered in keeping with European practice. The Executive Board would only intervene in matters of fiscal administration, primarily to insure a balanced budget.

We will also work in cooperation with the Sudan Education Project. This is, from a legal standpoint, a university-based group supporting larger investments in equipment. It provides grants to preschools, school and other educational institutions, but also for the education of children from underprivileged families. At present the group is engaged in transforming itself into an official non-profit organization.

Two schools, a secondary and an upper school, were founded in 1946 by Mr. El Rayah El Aydaross exclusively for boys. After his death in 1970 the leadership was passed on to his daughter, Mrs. Azza El Rayah El Aydaross. A short time later she admitted girls to the schools. Both schools are financed, as is common in Sudan, by means of tuition paid by the parents while efforts are made to aid those most in need. These schools have an annual surplus of 50,000 US Dollars. They will soon be turned over to Dr. Mohamed Badawi, so one person will maintain leadership over the institutions including the proposed university.