12 May 2011 - Thousands of alumnae of the Open University of Sudan from all over Darfur today began a three-day graduation ceremony held at the al-Nagaa Stadium in El Fasher, North Darfur, sponsored by UNAMID.

The first day began with a series of cultural exhibitions through which students from different ethnicities could share their diverse histories. A musical concert will be held this evening featuring Sudanese musician Abdelgadir Salim.

The event, organized with the support of UNAMID’s Community Outreach program, will be the first graduation ceremony since the university began its work in Darfur. The Open University of Sudan, which has more than 20 learning centers in the Darfur region and many others throughout the country, offers access to higher learning opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds. The 3,000 students attending this ceremony are graduates from the past three academic years and have obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as education, policy-making, finance and administration.

On Saturday, the students will be presented with their diplomas in a ceremony to be attended by the Wali of North Darfur, the Federal Minister of Education and UNAMID leadership.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Guiomar Pau, Media Relations, paug@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)90 090 5097

Mayada Umbadda, Media Relations, umbadda@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 250 1966