The 26th graduation ceremony of the University of Juba was a momentous occasion marked by heartfelt congratulations from Professor Robert Mayom Deng, the Vice Chancellor. He praised the graduates and their supporters for overcoming numerous challenges and achieving this significant milestone. Prof. Deng encouraged the graduates to take pride in their accomplishments and celebrate their success, noting that their perseverance and determination have brought them to this moment. He emphasized that the graduates’ future success will depend on their mindset, resilience, and openness to new opportunities, with their greatest achievements still ahead.
Prof. Deng also addressed some pressing concerns within the university, including delayed salaries, which continue to be a major challenge for staff members. These delays not only affect the well-being of the staff but also disrupt their ability to effectively teach and support students, potentially leading to protests if the situation persists. Additionally, Prof. Deng highlighted the issue of land grabbing, particularly by senior officials and businessmen, which poses a serious threat to the university’s Bajur and Customs Campuses. He urged for swift action to protect university land from illegal encroachments and proposed amicable resolutions with those who have unlawfully built on university property. Furthermore, he suggested that income-generating structures, such as Freedom Hall, should contribute a portion of their earnings to the university, as they occupy university land.
In his remarks, Prof. Deng expressed sincere gratitude to all university staff, including security personnel, for their dedication and professionalism during a challenging year. He also commended the organizing committee, led by Prof. Mairi John Blackings, for successfully executing the ceremony. He concluded his speech by quoting Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, who believed in rising early, engaging with others, and working late into the night to ensure success. Prof. Deng encouraged the graduates to adopt a similar mindset, emphasizing the importance of time management and dedication in achieving future victories.
Hon. Gabriel Changson Chang, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, also congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the crucial support of parents and the organizing committee. He advised graduates to consider three career paths: seeking government jobs, pursuing employment in the private sector, or creating their own opportunities through small businesses, with support from banking systems. Hon. Chang stressed the need for universities to align their curricula with market needs to enhance practical skills and cited Rwanda’s success in focusing on teaching, research, community engagement, technology, and evaluation. He also addressed ongoing challenges regarding educational certificates in the region, underscoring the need for a national qualification framework and a quality assurance system to ensure the global competitiveness of graduates. He assured that the Ministry is initiating a national project to oversee quality assurance across public and private universities.
H.E. Josephine Joseph Lagu, Vice President for the Service Cluster, reflected on the history and establishment of the University of Juba. She shared her personal journey from teaching assistant to earning her master’s and PhD in the UK, highlighting the challenges the university has faced, including displacement during the conflict. Hon. Lagu expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the university’s development and recognized the leadership, both past and present. She acknowledged the difficulties graduates may face, including setbacks and rare successes, but emphasized that the education they received at the University of Juba has prepared them to overcome challenges. Hon. Lagu urged graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers, contributing positively to society and fostering national stability. She also praised public universities for their resilience in educating the population amidst difficult circumstances, despite being the lowest-paid educators in the region and dealing with unpaid salaries for over a year. She called for better infrastructure in public universities and appealed to development partners to support the enhancement of higher education infrastructure in the country.
During the ceremony, gifts of appreciation were presented to graduates from the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, and Medicine. The Minister of Higher Education also announced that Ethiopia would offer 644 scholarships for students in 2025 and encouraged graduates interested in further studies to apply for these opportunities.