A group of graduates from Rumbek University celebrate their achievement during the institution's second graduation ceremony on Monday, April 13, 2026 - courtesy

The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Madut Biar, has urged Rumbek University graduates to prioritize innovation and self-employment, noting that white-collar jobs are increasingly difficult to secure in the current labor market.

Speaking on Monday, April 13, during the second graduation ceremony of Rumbek University, Minister Biar addressed a cohort of hundreds entering a challenging economic landscape.

The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Vice President Hussein Abdelbaggi, Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programs Adut Salva, and several national ministers.

Minister Biar noted that while the government continues to graduate thousands of students annually, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Public Service face significant hurdles in absorbing everyone into formal government roles.

“I strongly believe that the knowledge and experience you gained in the university will be a tool to create jobs,” the Minister stated. “I believe the majority of you will not make it to get white-collar jobs. So I am encouraging you: please, be a job creator, not a job seeker.”

He emphasized that personal innovation is the primary vehicle for graduates to achieve their leadership aspirations within South Sudan.

Beyond employment, the Minister urged the graduates to view their commencement as a beginning rather than a conclusion of their academic journeys. He encouraged them to pursue further courses to enhance their contributions to their families and the nation.

“Today’s graduation is not the end,” Biar advised. “I am really advising you not to throw away your books. Continue to study so that you learn more and contribute more to yourself and also to the country.”

The presence of Vice President Hussein Abdelbaggi and other national leaders at the ceremony highlighted the government’s focus on higher education as a pillar for national development, even as officials acknowledge the practical difficulties of immediate job placement for the country’s youth.