STEMPower South Sudan has graduated 180 young people from six STEM centres across the country. The graduates are from STEM centres at the University of Juba, Grinti in Wau, Abyei, Rumbek, Yambio and Aweil, with each centre graduating 30 participants. This program has been running since September 2025 and has impacted 532 people across South Sudan so far.
The program was introduced to help young people acquire skills needed in a rapidly changing world. According to Lucy Biel, Executive Director of STEMPower South Sudan, the programme seeks to equip young people with an understanding of how technology can be applied to address challenges facing their communities. South Sudanese communities face challenges including flooding, insecurity, drought, famine and disease.
The program was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, SDC. SDC Program Manager Rudolph Von Planta congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue developing their skills beyond the training. He said the program demonstrated that young people, women, refugees and marginalized communities have the potential to innovate and lead.
Von Planta urged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to contribute to their communities and the country. He emphasized that a certificate opens a door, but it does not walk through its door. The graduates were encouraged to be curious, keep learning, be bold and use the skills they’ve learned to help build a future of science.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Michael Kuol said the training went beyond teaching students how to use computers. The program taught students patience, teamwork, discipline and confidence. Kuol said the program also showed students how technology could be used to address real-life challenges.
The training aimed to find solutions to real problems in homes, schools, communities and the country at large. Kuol thanked the trainers and partners for investing in South Sudanese youth and encouraged the graduates to put their skills into practice. This graduation marks the third ceremony under the digital skills and innovative solutions program.
The program's impact is expected to grow in the coming years. Lucy Biel expressed hope that STEMPower can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of young people in South Sudan. The graduates are expected to use their skills to make a difference in their communities and the country.
Key points
- 180 young South Sudanese have graduated from STEMPower's digital skills and innovation program.
- The program was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, SDC.
- The program aims to equip young people with skills to address community challenges using technology.
