JUBA – The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in South Sudan is prioritising practical statistical training to develop experts capable of applying analytical tools to real policy challenges, says Director General Augustino Ting Mayai.
“We aim to nurture a cadre of statisticians who can apply analytical tools to real policy challenges. We have also made a deliberate shift away from the short workshop style that often leaves little room for practical learning and sustained application,” said Mayai on Monday at the premises of the National Bureau of Statistics during the opening of the three-week STATA training.
The three-week STATA training kicked off on Monday, organised by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mayai stated that the training is meant to develop technical capacity in statistics in a bid to generate data-informed, evidence-based decisions.
“This is a significant occasion for us, not only because it builds capacity but because it embodies the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. We take yet another step forward in strengthening South Sudan’s statistics,” said Mayai.
“This STATA training will equip our staff and colleagues from key partner institutions with the tools needed to work with data effectively, transforming numbers into insights and insights into action,” he said.
Mayai revealed that the ability to manage and analyse information is fundamental to good governance, adding that reliable statistics do not just describe reality in a world increasingly driven by data but shape how people understand data.
“By empowering our own staff to become trainers, we are not only enhancing individual skills but also strengthening the bureau’s long-term ability to deliver on its mandates with consistency, resilience, and institutional memory,” said Mayai.
