(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Emmanuel Christian University, ECU, has on Friday graduated 131 students during its 18th graduation ceremony in Yei, as government and university leaders called for greater investment in education, skills development and youth empowerment.
The graduates included 60 students from the Faculty of Business Administration, 47 from the Faculty of Education and 24 from the Faculty of Theology.
Speaking during the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Dr. Daniel Ohide said the university has expanded from three to five faculties, adding Agriculture and Social Work, including Public Administration, and now offers about 13 academic programmes.
He also announced plans to establish a Faculty of Information Technology in 2027, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and modern digital skills.
Representing fellow graduates, Gaga Frank Justin, who obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, encouraged young people to persevere despite financial and personal challenges.
“Challenges are part of life. You have to persevere, commit yourself, sacrifice and work hard to finish,” he said.
Yei River County Caretaker Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme commended the university for expanding higher education opportunities and urged parents to continue investing in their children’s education.
Taban said the county government is working to secure more scholarships and expand higher education opportunities in Yei. He also encouraged graduates to embrace entrepreneurship rather than depend solely on government jobs.
“We need to be job creators rather than job seekers. Money is not only in institutions or offices,” he said.
Meanwhile, Central Equatoria State Minister of General Education and Instruction Lupai Satimon said the government plans to address teacher shortages through short and long-term training programmes.
Satimon cited financial constraints and inadequate numbers of teachers among the major challenges facing primary, secondary and technical schools across the state.
He said in-service training for volunteer teachers is expected to begin in December, with five institutions, including Yei Teachers Training College and Emmanuel Christian University, earmarked for the programme.
The minister added that his ministry is developing an education policy and undertaking internal reforms aimed at improving education services and teachers’ welfare.
Satimon also urged candidates preparing for the upcoming Primary Leaving and Secondary School examinations to remain confident and avoid examination malpractice.
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