Rumbek University of Science and Technology (RUST) on Monday graduated 769 students during its second convocation ceremony in Lakes State, covering accumulated classes from 2018 to 2025.
The ceremony also followed a presidential directive transferring the premises of Rumbek Senior Secondary School, established in 1948, to the university. The school was formally launched as part of higher education expansion plans in 2010.
The event was presided over by Vice President for the Service Cluster Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, alongside Senior Presidential Envoy on Special Programs Adut Salva Kiir, Minister of Higher Education Madut Biar Yel, and Lakes State Governor Madhang Majok Meen. National and state officials, parents, and families attended the ceremony in Rumbek.
Addressing the gathering, Vice President Abdelbagi said he and the presidential envoy had recently inspected the Juba–Rumbek road, adding that the government was seeking to understand challenges facing communities at the grassroots level.
He conveyed greetings from President Salva Kiir Mayardit, congratulating the graduates and urging them to apply their education in service of the country.
“You have spent years studying and your families have invested resources for you to reach this day,” he said, adding that graduates should demonstrate resilience, integrity and commitment to national development.
He acknowledged challenges facing the education sector but commended teaching staff and the Ministry of Higher Education for supporting the institution.
Abdelbagi also urged graduates to prepare for a difficult labour market, citing economic constraints and the lingering effects of conflict in South Sudan and the wider region, including the war in Sudan.
“The economy has not fully recovered from the shocks of war,” he said, urging graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He said the government remained committed to economic stabilisation and creating employment opportunities, while also calling for peace and unity ahead of December elections.
He further announced a presidential decision transferring the Rumbek Senior Secondary School premises to the University of Juba, with a pledge to construct a replacement facility for the secondary school.
Senior Presidential Envoy Adut Salva Kiir said education remained central to national development, adding that it strengthened institutions and supported economic growth.
She said government education reforms had expanded access to schooling, citing increased primary school enrolment in recent years, and noted ongoing programmes supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans and street children.
Minister of Higher Education Madut Biar Yel urged graduates to focus on entrepreneurship, saying formal employment opportunities were limited.
“Do not only look for white-collar jobs. Create opportunities for yourselves,” he said, adding that graduates should pursue further studies and continuous learning.
Lakes State Governor Madhang Majok Meen described the graduation as a milestone and urged graduates to contribute to public service.
He also pledged a fair recruitment process in the state civil service and called for merit-based employment practices.
Speaking on behalf of graduates, Angelina Adhel called on the government to address unemployment and create an enabling environment for investment and job creation.
She also urged continued support for women’s empowerment programmes to improve girls’ education outcomes and reduce dropout rates.
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