Emmanuel BidaJuly 6, 2025
A Facebook post by Afreport TV, a news and media page, claiming that South Sudan’s Star International University, is an “unregistered institution operating without formal accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST),” is false.
The post shared on 27 June 2025 the same day of the university’s fourth graduation ceremony further claimed that the event in which over eighty (80) students graduated (archived link) had triggered controversy due to its lack of legal recognition.
Press enter or click to view image in full size
While the article from “Afreport TV” raises concerns about Star International University’s legitimacy, readily available information and official actions contradict this assertion.
Debunking the Claim:
The university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Edmond Majji, told Makuen-Atong nyin Wong media in an interview that the institution has been registered since 2016. It has graduated students in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025 with lists published on their website.
Contrary to the claim, Star International University was explicitly listed as one of four licensed private universities in a 2022 circular issued by South Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.
Press enter or click to view image in full size
Further evidence of its recognized status lies in the fact that students graduating from Star International University are issued national numbers by the Directorate of Admission, Evaluation, and Authentication at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.
These graduates consistently have their certificates authenticated by the Ministry without any issues or questions regarding the institution’s legitimacy.
“This process would not be possible if the university were unregistered or unrecognized,” Emmanuel Karaba Ezra, a 2022 graduate of Star International University told The ClarityDesk in an interview via phone.
A Radio Tamazuj article (archived link) from 21 November 2018 explicitly mentions that the then-Higher Education Minister Yien Oral Lam stated: “Up to now we have five private universities that are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education. The recognized private universities are Catholic University, Stafford International University, Star University, St Mary’s College and Mary Help College.” While this specific article is from 2018, it establishes Star University’s recognition by the Ministry.
“The fact that Star International University has continued to operate and graduate students, with their credentials recognized by the Ministry, strongly indicates its legitimate standing,” the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology told The ClarityDesk in an email when asked for comment.
Verdict:
The claim that Star International University is an unregistered institution operating without formal accreditation is false. Official documents and ministerial processes confirm its licensed status within South Sudan’s higher education system.
Have you spotted an error in this article and would like to request a correction, or have you come across a claim that we should investigate? Please send us an email via editor@claritydesk.org or click here to WhatsApp us.
The ClarityDesk
