The Catastrophic Shadow: War Impacts on the Educational System of Sudan, with a Focus on Al-Neelain University, Faculty of Science and Technology

ORAL

Abstract

The April 2023 conflict in Sudan resulted in systemic collapse of educational infrastructure,

with over 10,400 schools closed and universities in Khartoum sustaining extensive

structural and operational damage. Technical disciplines requiring specialized laboratories

were disproportionately a􀆯ected. Medical Physics, critical for national capacity in

radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, and radiation safety, experienced total functional loss.

At Al-Neelain University's Faculty of Science and Technology, the Department of Medical

Physics lost all dosimetry equipment, TPS resources, radiation physics labs, biomedical

instrumentation facilities, and academic records, rendering the training pipeline

completely non-operational. This represents a major setback for the physics-dependent

healthcare ecosystem, where qualified personnel were already scarce.

A phased restoration e􀆯ort has begun, emphasizing e-learning delivery of theoretical

modules, digitization of curricula, acquisition of refurbished dosimetry tools, and

international collaboration to provide virtual laboratory environments and remote

expertise. These steps illustrate a scalable hybrid model for restoring physics education in

conflict zones and are essential for reestablishing Sudan's scientific and clinical capacity

during post-conflict recovery.

Presenters

  • Isamaldin H Badawi

    • University of Rome

Authors

  • Sarah Ashmeg

    • University of Pittsburgh Med Ctr
  • Isamaldin H Badawi

    • University of Rome