3189: CLOSE-UP: From Classroom to Nation-Building: The Journey of Professor Julia Aker Duany

In this episode, we sit down with one of South Sudan’s most distinguished academics, writers, and rights advocates, Professor Dr. Julia Aker Duany.

Born in Rumbek County, Lakes State, and raised in a family of 52 children, Professor Aker’s path into public life has been shaped by resilience, education, and a lifelong commitment to justice.

She once dreamed of becoming a medical doctor but ultimately found her calling as a teacher, a profession she has dedicated more than 50 years to, both in Sudan and in the United States. After fleeing during the civil war, she pursued her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate at Indiana University’s School of Education.

Her work has centered on gender, equality, and social transformation. She has been a strong voice for increasing women’s participation in political leadership and has served her country in senior positions, including as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology and as Undersecretary in the Ministry of Public Service.

In this conversation, we trace her remarkable journey, from the classroom to national advocacy and explore how education can shape a more just and inclusive society.

Take a listen.