JUBA – Ten South Sudanese students are travelling to Israel for a fellowship program dubbed “Learn and Earn” to enhance their professional skills.
The young men attended a briefing by South Sudan foreign ministry officials in Juba on Tuesday before embarking on their journey to the volatile Middle East.
Amb. Ajing Adiang, Director General of Institute for Diplomatic Studies, urged the students to focus on acquiring agricultural skills, recognizing the sector’s crucial role in South Sudan’s future.
On his part, Amb. Wol Mayar, Director of the Middle East and Gulf Department, encouraged the students to take their studies seriously and return to South Sudan to contribute to the country’s development.
South Sudan has opted to maintain a strong bilateral relationship with Israel and has declined to join others in condemning Tel Aviv’s actions in Gaza, at the UN on several occasions.
Recent engagements between the countries include the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and high-level discussions aimed to enhance cooperation in areas like education, health, sports, and environmental protection.
More than 70 percent of South Sudan’s population is under 30 years old, presenting an immense workforce potential for the country. But the youth continue to suffer from limited access to education and livelihoods opportunities.