Africa-Press – Namibia. FORMER president Hifikepunye Pohamba has requested that every household within the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority contribute N$10 towards the construction of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) satellite campus at Eenhana,
Pohamba, who is the Nust patron, said this at the launching of the campus yesterday. The campus needs more than N$1 billion to be a fully fledged university. Although this is a huge amount, with commitment and unity of purpose, the region will be able to achieve that dream, Pohamba said. Fundraising efforts last year generated N$2 million, of which N$1 million has already been deposited in Nust’s bank account, Pohamba said.
“The fundraising is still running. We must continue making contributions. The other day I was talking to a senior headman in the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority about every house contributing N$10. Towards the end of the year, we would be saying we have the money needed for the university. Let us continue contributing money to this noble cause without stopping,” Pohamba added.
Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibians must be prepared to invest in knowledge and skills as there is no better investment the country can make than investing in the education of its citizens.
She said the university will bring education closer to a great number of people. “It is indeed an achievement that all of us here must rejoice in,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
She added that the establishment of the campus is testimony to Nust’s commitment to fill the human resources needs in all parts of Namibia, and ensure that the country can fully harness its human resources to optimise national development.
“The government has been growing our tertiary education sector, making it more diverse, to offer Namibians many pathways to explore and chase their aspirations. We upgraded the Polytechnic of Namibia into the fully-fledged Nust to create more specialised courses for students. We are now building new campuses and expanding the range of their courses.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added that having recognised the challenges that rural-urban migration places on urban development, especially with respect to Windhoek, the establishment of the satellite campuses can support the expansion of services to rural areas and reduce the costs of access to higher education for communities.
“In addition to the promotion of greater inclusion and access for rural communities, which the satellite campus brings, it also has the added benefit of creating new employment opportunities. The establishment of more campuses is also intended to serve students who cannot travel far from home due to family responsibilities, job responsibilities and financial constraints, as well as to curb rural urban migration,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
Campuses are uniquely placed to serve the needs of their localities and contribute towards local development through research, business, and community engagement, she added.
Ohangwena regional governor Walde Ndevashiya said the establishment of the Nust Eenhana campus will bring solutions to socio-economic challenges faced by the region.
“It is also my understanding that Nust will further bring about improved research methods in partnership with various regional stakeholders and other development partners that will serve the greater need and interest of our young people,” Ndevashiya said. The quality and relevance of university education has been a serious concern for both private and public sector employers, he said.
“Considerable inequalities of access to university education remain in terms of social class and geographical location, especially for rural area students, marginalised groups, and those with special needs. It is therefore my understanding that having Nust in the Ohangwena region will bridge this gap as it will improve access to university education,” Ndevashiya said.
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