The Starford International University has graduated 367 students from different colleges in its third convocation held in Juba on Saturday.

264 males and 103 females were awarded diplomas and Bachelor's degrees from colleges of Computer Science and Information Technology, Economics and Social Science, Law and Management Science.

Speaking during the third graduation ceremony held at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba on Saturday, Dr. Kenneth Wyne Mutuma, Vice Chancellor of Starford International University, described the graduates as the most empowered people who will change and shape the future of South Sudan.

“You are the most powerful people that we are releasing into the world today, more powerful than an atomic bomb, and more powerful than a nuclear weapon, because this nation is going to change through the work of Starford International University,” said Kenneth.

Wol Lual Wol, a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education, said: “Science students, and social science students, you need to work  hard to build up what has not yet been put in place, and I can say, for example, like laboratories in the science sections so that students are taught practical work.”

Dium Cyer Cyer Deng, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Starford International University, urged the students to use the skills they have acquired to eradicate poverty in the country.

“Also, we are fighting a war of poverty among other wars, but in reality, we can overcome poverty if we can turn the mighty River Nile, huge natural resources we have-we need to encourage irrigation instead of sitting under trees from morning till evening. We can’t fight poverty as South Sudanese if we stay under the tree from sunrise to sunset,” Deng said.

Monica Amakou Mayak, a representative of the graduands, encouraged parents to change their perception of girls and grant them equal rights to education as boys.

“We must stop early child marriage in South Sudan. Many of our girls don’t have the opportunity to go to school but let us give them a chance to go to school. Equally, let us give young boys a chance to go to school, too,” said Amakuo.

Starford International University College was established in 2016 and was registered as one of the private institutions of higher education in South Sudan.