Over 1,800 students graduated at the University of Juba

By Awan Achiek

At least 1,800 students have on Saturday graduated from different colleges and faculties at the University of Juba.

Prof. John Akec, the University’s Vice-Chancellor urged the graduates to apply the acquired knowledge in tackling environmental challenges facing the societies.

“Today (Saturday) approximately 1,800 graduands of which there were 304 females and 1400 males will be awarded diplomas and degrees as follows, 685 diplomas, 751 degrees, 41 postgraduate diplomas, 256 masters’ degrees and 168 degrees,” the Vice Chancellor said during the graduation ceremony at Custom Campus in Juba.

While presiding over the ceremony, President Salva Kiir Mayardit vowed to work with concerned ministries to develop recruitment policies for fresh graduates.

“The government will consider merit-based recruitment policy. This policy will target you the graduates from our universities for employment in the public sector,” he told the graduates.

“We are also calling upon you to be part of the solution by embracing hard work in all sectors and you can lead the way for us by applying this knowledge,” the President added.

Mathiang Lungar, graduates’ Representative called on the government to embark on regular lecturers’ incentives payment for smooth functioning of  higher institutions of learning.

“I, therefore, take this opportunity to urge the government to set up higher education loan scheme under the Ministry of Higher Education which can provide loans to students with financial difficulties and this will reduce the number of dropouts in our universities,” he said.

“University of Juba has continued to experience shortage of lecture halls, insufficient books in the library, furniture and other learning materials,” he added.

The Saturday’s graduation was a 23rd convocation of the University of Juba since Establishment.