Graduation Ceremony at Hanbit Vocational School
The graduates attending the graduation ceremony at Hanbit vocational school at Dr. John Garang University in Bor, Jonglei State on Monday, February 10, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the development of future agricultural leaders in South Sudan. Seventeen students graduated from the Hanbit Vocational School’s agriculture program, which is supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). This was the school’s first graduating class from the three-month program.
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Geetha Pious, head of the UNMISS field office in Jonglei State and GPAA, emphasized the program’s role in developing future agricultural leaders. She stressed the importance of agricultural investment for food security in South Sudan, particularly given recent aid reductions. "South Sudan needs to invest in agriculture to address the hunger issue, especially with the United States cutting aid support. In the coming days, South Sudan needs to produce its own food," she added.
Call to Action for Graduates
Pious urged the graduates to share their newly acquired skills within their communities. "Together we can create and reflect positive change that will help the community. From here, you should be a change maker in our community," she said. Atong Kuol Manyang, deputy governor of Jonglei State, also affirmed the government’s commitment to agricultural investment and appealed to the graduates to contribute to increased production in Jonglei State.
Government Commitment to Agricultural Investment
"The government of South Sudan’s farming policy is to increase production and improve food security. It aims at making agriculture a key industry that contributes to the country’s economic growth and social wellbeing," Manyang stated. He encouraged the graduates to utilize their skills to fight food insecurity, create jobs, and contribute to the economic growth of their state and country.
Gratitude and Encouragement
Makoc Ngong Akol, representing the graduating class, expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea (ROK HMEC) for their support. "We are very happy with the Republic of Korea for giving us these skills. It will help us in producing food for our communities in Jonglei State and South Sudan at large," Akol said. He encouraged his fellow graduates to apply the skills they gained during the program to make a positive impact in their communities.
Conclusion
The graduation ceremony at Hanbit Vocational School marked an important step towards developing the next generation of agricultural leaders in South Sudan. With the support of the UNMISS and the government’s commitment to agricultural investment, the graduates are well-equipped to contribute to the country’s food security and economic growth. As they embark on their journey, they are encouraged to share their skills and knowledge with their communities, creating positive change and fighting food insecurity in South Sudan.
