Professor John Akec, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba. (John Akec/Facebook).

The outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba said he is confident that the institution will grow under his successor as he bid farewell to a position that he held for the last ten years.

President Salva Kiir, also the Chancellor of Public Universities, appointed Professor Akec in 2014 and relieved him last week.

In his place, Kiir appointed Professor Robert Mayom Kuoirot in a major reshuffle that also replaced vice chancellors of the other four public universities.

“It is my last day to sit at the helm of the administration of the University of Juba. It is a historical moment in the history of our country and the university,” Akech posted on his Facebook page on Thursday.

“Here, I am signing my Handover Report which I am going to deliver to the incoming Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Mayom Kuoirot, to carry the torch forward,” he added.

Prof. Akec said he is “delighted and confident” that the University of Juba will continue to flourish under his successor.

– Achievements –

In an interview with Eye Radio on Thursday, Prof John Akech outlined some of his success stories during his 10-year tenure as vice chancellor.

Prof Akech said he has since increased the number of academic staff from 291 when he was appointed to the current 1,200.

“When I came here, there were 291 academic staff, but now as we speak, it is around 1,200 and that is four times increment,” he said.

He also said the number of students increased from around 10,000 to 40,000 over the last decade.

Akec also listed an array of achievements including internet and electricity connectivity, construction of the University western gate, renovation of the administration building, lecture halls and regular graduation ceremonies.

“When I started, the first graduates were few hundreds. Now, the graduates are about 5 thousand. When I come there was three and half power of electricity but now, we have electricity in the campus.”

Akech said his administration transformed the whole university infrastructure and upgraded certificates from normal papers to secure ones.

“After one year in the office, we had a graduation ceremony, and it was not easy. We had to design the gowns and order them from China, and we had to come up with a proper security certificate because certificates were printed in a normal paper.”

Akec is known for his opposition to the government initiative to dredge tributaries of the Nile River, later rephrased as ‘river cleaning’. The project apparently ongoing, is perceived to mitigate devastating seasonal floods in the country.

He has equally been criticized for adopting policies mandating students to pay heavy fees to fund his ambitious plan to build new lecture halls at the university.

His farewell post on social media attracted 4,000 likes and 2,000 comments as internet users hailed his achievement at the university and wished him luck on his future endeavors.

Nhial Terry commented: “We’re delighted you did a good job, and we wish you the best in your next assignment.”

“Good luck dear Prof. You’re an inspiration to us and may you find success and prosperity in whatever path you choose after this,” said Ayok Papalima.

Agum Dani Telar said: “Prof John Akech you don’t know how much the Uoj still needs you unfortunately the transition is part of administration. Thank you for showing us the way and telling South Sudan that development starts with the little you have.”

“Thank you, Prof. John Akec Apuruot, for the innovation, devotion, leadership, and passion you have put into this great institution to get it where it is now,” University of Juba posted on its Facebook page.

“You will always be regarded as an icon who inspired us and achieved great things. Best wishes in your next endeavors.”