The University of Gezira, was established in 1975 to serve the rural area around wad Medani in addition to its national role. The university is a leading institution in the Sudanese higher education system. The university is composed of faculties, specialized institutes and centres among which is the Population Studies Centre (PSC). A panel of highly qualified academic staff supports the university. Among the teaching members of staff are professors, Ph. D. and M. Sc. holders.

The university intake of student for the academic year 2001/2002 amounts to 3000 students. The University of Gezira, was the first to recognize the importance of population issues and to initiate a programme of teaching and research in population. Its undergraduate program training in population studies leading to a B. Sc. degree in demography and social statistics; and starting with the academic year 1995/96 it has been offering M. Sc. degree in population and development.

The PSC is a semi-autonomous entity within the Faculty of Economics and Rural Development (FERD). The under - and post - graduate teaching and rural training programmes are offered by the department of Social Statistics and Demography of the Faculty. The Centre also provides advisory short-term training, and engages in the dissemination of information on population issues. The PSC is managed by a director (Ph. D.) and assisted by a Deputy Director (Ph. D.), both under the direct supervision of the University Vice-chancellor.

The PSC offers two post graduate programmes of study; the Postgraduate Diploma in Population and Development and Reproductive Health (Diploma in P&D-RH) and The Master of Science in Population and Development and Reproductive Health. These programmers are intended to train candidates who hold a first degree in various fields of specialization for careers in government, autonomous bodies and the private sector. The postgraduate programmes offered by The PCS are designed to expose the student to theoretical substantive and technical materials with the long-term overall goal of implementing the relevant ICPD recommendations with a view to improve the quality of life in Sudan for all. The two postgraduate programmes of study at the PSC are closely linked to each other. The Master of Science in Population and Development and Reproductive Health (M. Sc. in P&D-RH) consists of tow parts. The programme of study under the postgraduate Diploma in Population and Development and Reproductive Health (Diploma in P&D-RH) constitutes part I of the Master of (M. Sc: in P&D-RH) programme and candidates after successful completion of the former may be allowed to proceed on to the latter if they have a CGPA of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale of scholastic achievement. At the same time if a candidate does not meet this CGPA criterion and/or decides to discontinue her/his studies after successfully completing the requirements of the Diploma she/he will be awarded the Diploma in P&D-RH. All admissions will initially be made into the Diploma programme.