Bishop Alison Theological College (BATC) is one of the main training colleges for the Episcopal Church of the Sudan. It trains church leaders for service in 18 dioceses across Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda.

BATC, originally known as Bishop Alison Bible School (BABS), was first established in Yei Diocesan Bible School in 1993. However the civil war that devastated so much of Southern Sudan meant that the College was almost immediately displaced to Koboko, in Northern Uganda, and it was here that it began to find its feet.

Unfortunately before its first class could graduate the School faced further upheaval. Burnt down by the Sudanese Government, supported by Ugandan rebels, BABS relocated to Arua, in the Diocese of Madi-West Nile, where it still operates today. CMS Ireland has been in partnership with the College since these early days and continues to support its work.

BABS was upgraded in 1997 to provincial diploma level and, to date, has graduated over 100 alumni who are now leading the local church as Archdeacons, Rural Deans, Parish Priests, Diocesian Secretaries and tutors for Diocesan Bible schools or colleges.

BATC, with ongoing support from CMS Ireland, is in the process of moving back to Southern Sudan – where it can serve its people even more effectively. The bulding work on a new site has already commenced.

It will upgrade to a Bachelor Degree (Theological and Community Development Disciplines) in the near future.