Yesterday (6 December) the South Korean Engineering contingent in Bor welcomed 50 hopeful South Sudanese trainees, eager to pick up practical skills at their research and vocational training centre. Participants will attend courses for farmers, electricians, carpenters, welders and construction workers.

The event, which was held at the vocational training centre, was attended by the Governor of Jonglei Philip Aguer and his Minister for Agriculture, the vice chancellor of the Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Technology and the UNMISS Head of Field Office for the Greater Jonglei Region.

In his welcome and congratulatory remarks, the South Korean commanding officer Col. Deog Sang Ahn emphasized the importance of the training center and the expected outcome of the training. In his words “the Agriculture Technology Research Centre aims to promote an agricultural boom and support the economic development of South Sudan through training of specialized professionals.”

In her message to the trainees, Deborah Schein, the UNMISS Head of Field Office, expressed her gratitude to the Republic of South Korea Horizontal Military Engineering Company for taking in new trainees. Highlighting the importance of the training centre, Ms. Schein made it known that “speaking for the UNMISS, I am proud to say this institute provides professional programmes, and the skills learnt will improve your prospect of employment and enable you to contribute to the development of South Sudan”. She also pointed out that the centre brings together trainees from various ethnic groups who will be studying together and build lasting, peace-promoting bonds.