Is a distinguished academic and researcher with over 20 years of experience in higher education, government, and the non-profit sector. He is currently the Principal of Bentiu University College of Petroleum and a member of the National Council for Higher Education. He has also served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science at Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, as well as Director General for Administration and Finance in the Government of South Sudan. Prof Dr Biel is a leading expert on peace and security in Africa, with a particular focus on South Sudan. He has published extensively on these topics and is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at international conferences. He is also the author of several books, including African Kids: Between Warlords, Child Soldiers and Living on Streets (2004) and Elites and Power in South Sudan (2017). Prof Dr. Biel holds a PhD and Master degrees in Political Science from Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena, Germany and a Bachelor in Social Sciences from the University of Applied Sciences in Jena, Germany. He speaks English, German, Arabic, Nuer, some Dinka and French. Prof Dr Melha Rout Biel is a highly accomplished academic and researcher with a wealth of experience in peace and security in Africa. He is a leading expert on the topic and is a frequent speaker and author on the subject. He is also a member of several important academic and government bodies.