South Sudanese Students at the University of Gondar celebrated 12 years of independence
In the opening of the celebration of the 12th anniversary of South Sudan’s independence at Olympic hotel in Gondar on July 09, 2023, all who were in attendance stood tall and enchanted the national anthem of South Sudan. Subsequent to that, Mr. Manyang Kongora, chairman of the South Sudan students’ Union at the University of Gondar gave an opening statement whereby he pointed out that the celebration of South Sudan’s Independence Day is an act of remembrance of the hardship the people of South Sudan went through to gain their freedom. He also said that South Sudanese students are grateful for the University of Gondar’s hospitality and for making the South Sudanese students feel at home.
“We are happy to celebrate the 12th anniversary of South Sudan’s Independence with Ethiopian friends and friends from neighboring countries in East Africa. South Sudan is the youngest nation in Africa, and the people of this young nation honor and salute South Sudan’s martyrs and founders. Their movement was a human rights movement.” said Elijah Riak Garang, a third-year medical student of the University of Gondar, while reading the history of South Sudan.
Similarly, Elijah’s fellow students said that the proud and enduring relationship between the two nations is, in one way, manifested by the generosity of the University of Gondar in welcoming South Sudanese students. They also stated that the University of Gondar is a place where one can achieve what he/she can achieve regardless of his/her race, gender or social and economic background. Likewise, students from Ethiopia and Somalia, who partook in the event, spoke about the opportunity that the University of Gondar created for all its students to experience learning in a culturally diverse environment. The students then came together to dance to songs from Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Dr. Degsew Melak, director of the Registrar and Alumni Directorate at the University of Gondar, affirmed that Ethiopia is the second home for South Sudanese students, and the University of Gondar is privileged to host and serve diverse international students, including South Sudanese scholars. He also told the audience that they all are ambassadors of the University of Gondar and they shall play this role as they return home.
Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, academic vice president of the University of Gondar, on his part, expressed his delight in joining the celebration, and shared with the participants that the two countries have common political, social and economic values. He stated further that Ethiopia’s role in the peace talks between Sudan and South Sudan was immense. In his speech, he also recalled that the two countries shared borders and they should work together for the benefit of both countries.
Dr. Kassahun emphasized that it is of paramount importance for the people of South Sudan to sustain the stability in their nation by maintaining peace and by using the country’s human resource wisely. He then pledged that the University of Gondar continues to work to empower South Sudanese scholars who would contribute to South Sudan’s educated work force.
He finally remarked that the scholars are the would-be leaders who could endure the existing strong multifaceted bond between the two countries, and the University remains determined to grant scholarships for South Sudanese students as well as students from other countries as a token of the effort by the University to strengthen such relationships.
A cake-cutting ceremony by the university top management and representatives of international students marked the closing of the event.
