By Sabri Dibaco
What began as a dream born out of hardship and limited educational opportunities has evolved into one of South Sudan’s emerging higher education success stories.
In a speech to hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs during an entrepreneurship training program organised by Inkomoko in Juba, Professor Isaac Ayi Ayi, Chancellor and President of Ayi University, shared his remarkable journey from refugee life to establishing a university and becoming one of the country’s leading advocates for education and entrepreneurship.
In an exclusive interview with No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Professor Ayi reflected on the challenges that inspired him to pursue a vision that many considered impossible.
“I came up with the idea because of the challenges we face as a country,” he said.
Professor Ayi explained that his dream took shape in 2005 while he was in Maridi, after witnessing the difficulties many South Sudanese youth faced in accessing higher education.
Having lived as a refugee in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, he experienced those challenges firsthand. After completing secondary school in Uganda, he secured admission to study medicine. However, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing the course.
“My intention was to become a doctor, but nobody could pay for my education. That experience pushed me to think differently and create opportunities for others,” he recalled.
Rather than abandoning his ambitions, he enrolled in a diploma program and began nurturing an idea that would later transform thousands of lives.
“I said one day I need to establish my own institute so that those who are not sponsored can still study and invest in themselves,” he said.
To finance his dream, Professor Ayi worked, saved money, and established private health facilities while continuing his own education. Throughout the years, he remained committed to building an institution that would expand access to learning for South Sudanese youth.
His vision became reality in 2014 when he returned to South Sudan and founded the Juba Institute of Health Sciences with only three students. At the time, the country faced a severe shortage of qualified health professionals.
“There were very few South Sudanese health workers, maternal mortality was high, and many preventable diseases were affecting communities. I wanted to contribute,” he said.
From its modest beginnings, the institution steadily grew and was eventually upgraded into Ayi University.
Today, the university serves thousands of students and offers programs designed to strengthen South Sudan’s health and education sectors, including training doctors, nurses, midwives, and other specialised professionals.
Alongside building the institution, Professor Ayi continued his own academic journey, earning qualifications in health sciences, public policy, business administration, entrepreneurship, law, and higher education management.
“Education can be difficult, but when you have a vision, every qualification becomes a tool that helps you make better decisions,” he said.
Addressing participants at the entrepreneurship program, Professor Ayi emphasised that entrepreneurship is not necessarily about having capital but about identifying problems and consistently pursuing solutions.
“I started with an idea and nurtured it. Ideas become institutions, institutions create jobs, and jobs build economies,” he said.
He urged young entrepreneurs to remain disciplined, innovative, and committed to using available resources effectively.
“We must develop people if we want to change our economy and reduce conflict. Human resource development is key for South Sudan,” he noted.
Professor Ayi also pledged continued support for entrepreneurship initiatives, encouraging participants to transform their ideas into sustainable enterprises capable of creating employment opportunities.
“My goal is to build more entrepreneurs so that they manage small resources well, grow their ideas, create jobs, and contribute to our country’s economy,” he stated.
The entrepreneurship program brought together aspiring business owners and individuals seeking practical business skills, mentorship, and inspiration from successful entrepreneurs and education leaders.
Professor Ayi’s story served as a powerful reminder that resilience, education, and determination can transform personal struggles into institutions that contribute to national development.