Ministry of Higher Education dismisses claims of nepotism in scholarship selection
This came following public criticisms over the recent announcement of the students admitted for scholarship to India.
By Chuol Chanyong
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has firmly denied allegations of favoritism in the recent selection of students for scholarships to study in India. The clarification follows public criticism and social media outcry, with accusations that the majority of those selected came from a single region, sparking concerns over tribal bias and lack of equitable representation.
Addressing the press on Monday, Professor Job Akuei, Director General of Admissions and Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, dismissed the claims as unfounded. He reiterated that the selection process adhered strictly to merit and transparency.
“Media reports have emerged casting doubt on the integrity of the committee, claiming that the nominations were made on the basis of tribal affiliations, lacked regional representation and gender balance, and even promoted unofficial alternative lists,” Prof. Akuei said.
He added, “These accusations are common in a society that suffers from a lack of accurate information and tends to rely on rumors. Nonetheless, we affirm that the selection process was guided by a clear ministerial directive that emphasized the exclusive use of merit-based criteria.”
Prof. Akuei explained that, in previous years, applications for the Indian Government Scholarship were handled directly by the students through online portals, without any involvement from the Ministry. However, this year the process was channeled through the Ministry of Higher Education following a request from the Indian Cultural Attaché, who asked the Government of South Sudan to nominate qualified candidates.
In response, a special committee was formed to handle the selection process for scholarships offered by friendly nations, including India. The opportunity was advertised publicly, and applications were submitted online. From the hundreds of applicants, only a limited number could be nominated.
“Indian universities issued 457 admission letters to South Sudanese applicants this year,” Prof. Akuei said. “But only 30 scholarships were allocated to South Sudan, forcing the committee to make difficult decisions.”
The final allocation included 25 undergraduate and 5 postgraduate scholarships. Of the undergraduate slots, 20 were reserved for science disciplines, while 5 were allocated to arts and humanities. This distribution was informed by the availability of arts programs locally, and the comparatively limited access to science programs within South Sudanese universities.
Prof. Akuei emphasized that the selection was purely merit-based. Applicants were assessed using academic certifications issued by recognized institutions such as the South Sudan National Examinations Council.
“We selected the top 20 students in the sciences and the top 5 in the arts. The minimum qualifying scores were set at 88 percent for science disciplines and 88.9 percent for arts,” he explained.
The Indian Embassy also requested the preparation of a confidential reserve list of 20 additional students, selected using the same merit-based criteria.
On the question of regional balance, Prof. Akuei reiterated the need to uphold academic standards above geographic or ethnic considerations.
“Personally, I believe that universities, whether in India or elsewhere, do not recognize regional distribution. They only care about academic performance. Students who lack competence are expelled,” he said.
“If your region is underperforming, invest in improving education from the primary to secondary levels. That’s how nations are built.”
Supporting this position, Dr. Adil Atanasio Surur, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, urged critics to provide concrete evidence if any qualified student was excluded unfairly.
“If there exists an official list from the Indian Embassy that was ignored, those objecting must present it. We are ready to take full responsibility if it is proven that a qualified student was unfairly excluded,” Dr. Surur said.
He emphasized that globally, higher education is anchored on merit and that if South Sudan wishes to compete internationally, it must embrace this principle. Otherwise, he said, the country must be prepared to engage in a national conversation about its values and standards in education.
As public debate continues, the Ministry maintains that fairness, transparency, and academic excellence were the guiding pillars of the selection process. It also encourages citizens and institutions to focus on strengthening the country’s education system as the foundation for future opportunities.
