By Michael Kisilu

The Alumni Association formally launched the USIU-Africa South Sudan Alumni Chapter at an event held at the Pyramid Continental Hotel in Juba, South Sudan’s capital city. The event, attended by about 80 guests, was graced by Hon. Madam Awut Deng Acuil, South Sudan’s Minister of Education, Prof. Freida Brown, Vice-Chancellor, USIU-Africa, and Mr. James Gathere, Chairman, USIU-Africa Alumni Association, among other dignitaries, drawn from the public and private sectors in South Sudan including the Government; international development groups; diplomatic missions; financial institutions; local corporates and multi-national corporations; and charitable institutions and causes.

Some of the notable alumni from South Sudan who attended the event are:

• Hon. Philip Aguer Panyang; former Governor of Jonglei State and former spokesperson of the then SPLA now SSPDF;
• Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel– Chairman of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture;
• General Malual Ayom;
• Mr. Kuot Kuol Malith – MD, Horizon Bank South Sudan;
• Mr. Joseph Abuni Gama – Founder and CEO of Dynamic Consult;
• Mr. John Agou Wuoi – Liquid Telecom - Head of Government Liaison & Business Development;
• Mr. Dagu David – CEO of Ngamunde Ice Factory;
• Yom Chor Malek – Director of Admin and Finance at Triangle Real Estate Co.;
• Jolo Julia Clement – Head of Finance at Africa Resources Corporation.

Members of the media were invited and the event was covered by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). Besides the chapter launch, attendees were treated to a sumptuous dinner and shortly after to a networking cocktail.

In his remarks, Mr. John Makur, the Interim Chairperson of USIU-Africa South Sudan Alumni Chapter, noted that the Association was ready to hit the ground running and work on several long and short-term activities that it would be involved in.

“The Alumni Association plans to organize the Association with the necessary documents, procedures and executive team in order to design short to long-term strategies including activities that the association will organize e.g. colloquium talks, networking initiatives, fundraising activities, internships and mentorship programs, and community service/CSR activities; and design a fundraising plan that will finance the activities of the association. The alumni in South Sudan value professional diversity, philanthropy, and unity,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr. James Gathere, Chairperson, USIU-Africa Alumni Association, challenged the alumni present to give back, monetary or in kind, to their alma mater. He invited them to always feel free to visit their alma mater and pledged the support of the Association towards the South Sudan Chapter.

Prof. Freida Brown, Interim Vice-Chancellor, USIU-Africa thanked the South Sudan Alumni for not only inviting her to the auspicious event, but also for a very warm welcome extended to her and her delegation from Kenya. She acknowledged many familiar faces in attendance who passed through USIU-Africa during her 21-year tenure and have now excelled in various fields including, business / entrepreneurship, the corporate world, NGOs, diplomats and politics.

She underscored several roles that alumni play in university development, fundraising, curricular development, employability, transformation of higher education and continuous quality improvement.

Further, she acknowledged that alumni could also be involved in a variety of other ways such as mentoring students, providing assistance to students, recruiting prospective students, and providing valuable feedback to the institution. She concluded her remarks by urging the alumni to make use of their extensive network and keep in touch with their alma mater, live by the values that USIU-Africa inculcated in them.

Hon. Madam Awut Deng Acuil, the Chief Guest, congratulated the alumni for organizing a magnificent event, and challenged them to keep the fire burning. She acknowledged the challenges that have bedevilled the higher education sector, but indicated that most of the solutions could easily be availed by alumni.