Bahr El Ghazal University graduates over 230 students

By Ngor Arol Garang

January 27,2010 (KHARTOUM) — Authorities at the campus of Bahr el Ghazal University in Wau, one of the three southern universities, have confirmed graduation of over 230 students with honours and diplomas on 23 January 2010.

Attended by family members, government officials; sponsors of individual students at the university, the celebrations started on 23 January 2010 and ended today on Wednesday 27.
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The head of preparatory committee of the graduates, Meyen Kuol, a native of the oil rich region of Abyei, said 230 students were graduated from the faculties of education, economics and public health.

He said each and every one of them, referring to the new graduates sounded hopeful with commitments and determinations to use the years they spent pursuing knowledge in various fields to develop the former war ravaged region of South Sudan.

“The reason why I spent four years pursuing college degree, it was about knowledge to help in the reconstruction of our region and particularly my home state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal,” said Thomas Mou Kuan Adim, graduating with honour in economics and social studies.

Mou said he is more than happy to have been graduated successful after four years of struggle, adding he is glad to contribute the desperately needed development in the region with relevant knowledge.

However, he was to mention that although he is graduated, there are still many people probably estimated to be about 1.5 million in South Sudan who need primary education alone. Many are out of schools because of war and the lack of qualified teachers to teach in schools mostly in remote areas.

Many of these people mainly children returned from the neighbouring countries following signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi five years ago ending the 21 year long civil war between the north and south.

But being cognizant of significant of education, and as alternative to meeting basic need of people of South Sudan, the regional ministry education, science and technology of the government of south, designed a program entitled GO TO SCHOOL, an initiative meant to encourage more children have access to qualify primary education and succeed in school commitments.

Reading the congratulatory message on behalf of the Western Bahr el Ghazal governor, the State Minister of Information, Efisio Kon urged both students and graduates to effectively participate in the upcoming general elections.

“Because of the knowledge you have now, I urged you to properly make use of it in the upcoming elections and other events thereafter,” he said. He also advised young graduates to go ahead with their education. Degree is not the last level in the educational system; there are levels you need to pursue to be academicians, he said.

(ST)