Africa-Press – Namibia. A total of 864 students from the northern campuses of the University of Namibia (Unam) graduated on Wednesday in various fields of study such as accounting and auditing, agriculture, business administration, education, engineering, entrepreneurship, nursing science and public health.
The graduates are from the Hifikepunye Pohamba (Ongwediva), Oshakati, Ogongo and Jose Eduardo dos Santos (engineering) campuses.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Unam chancellor Nangolo Mbumba said the university’s new graduates are not only meeting existing demands, but also leading efforts to reskill and upskill for emerging industries in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Mbumba said there is also an increasing number of postgraduate students, including 11 master’s degrees that have been awarded.
“Namibia faces multifaceted challenges that demand innovative and practical solutions. Among these are water scarcity, high unemployment rates, energy insecurity, an over-reliance on raw mineral exports, an underdeveloped manufacturing sector, inadequate housing and insufficient transport infrastructure to support economic and social development,” he said.
Mbumba added that each of these challenges is not only an obstacle to progress, but also an opportunity for engineers and researchers to innovate, collaborate and lead.
Mbumba commended Unam for its commitment to providing the quality education to the youth that will enable them to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
Meanwhile, Unam vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu indicated that Namibia is on a trajectory of transitioning from a resource extractive-based economy to one where knowledge is increasingly an important commodity.
Matengu stated that one of the hurdles, which often works as a speed breaker, is people’s attitude – the mental block to think and consider higher targets and goals to overcome the impossible.
He urged the graduates to hold on to their goals even if they stumble occasionally, and to learn lessons from their own mistakes and avoid the blame game.
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