STEMPower Graduates 180 Young South Sudanese in Digital Skills and Innovation

STEMPower South Sudan has graduated 180 young people from six STEM centres across the country following training in digital skills, coding, robotics and innovative solutions.

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.

The program which began in September 2025 has so far impacted 532 people across South Sudan, according to STEMPower South Sudan.

Lucy Biel, Executive Director of STEMPower South Sudan, said the programme was introduced to help young people acquire skills needed in a rapidly changing world.

“Everybody is talking about technology, AI, and if you look for work, they ask you for your basic skills.”

Biel said South Sudanese communities face challenges including flooding, insecurity, drought, famine and disease, and that technology can help develop solutions to some of these problems.

“We felt that our youth and our communities in South Sudan are lagging behind.”

She said the programme seeks to equip young people with an understanding of how technology can be applied to address challenges facing their communities.

“We hope in the next few years to come, STEMPower can continue so that we have more people.”

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.

“Today we celebrate something important, not just the completion of a training program, but the beginning of new opportunities, of new successes.”

Von Planta said the program demonstrated that young people, women, refugees and marginalized communities have the potential to innovate and lead.

“Talent is everywhere. Sometimes it just needs the right opportunity to shine.”

He urged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to contribute to their communities and the country.

“A certificate opens a door, but it does not walk through its door. So, be curious, keep learning, be bold and use the skills you’ve learned to help build a future of science.”

Speaking on behalf of the graduates on Saturday, Michael Kuol said the training went beyond teaching students how to use computers.

“This class has taught us more than just digital tools, but has taught us patience, teamwork, discipline and confidence.”

He said the program also showed students how technology could be used to address real-life challenges.

“It is all about finding solutions to real problems in our 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.

The graduation marks the third ceremony under the digital skills and innovative solutions program, according to STEMPower South Sudan.