Africa-Press – Namibia. The Institute for Open Learning (IOL), one of Namibia’s leading private providers of open, distance, and online higher education, marked another significant milestone yesterday by conferring qualifications on 952 graduates, furthering its mission to bridge the country’s education gap.
The Windhoek Country Club was filled with excitement as families and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates’ achievements. This year’s ceremony, which lasted nearly four hours, honoured recipients of degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Maintaining a cherished tradition, IOL Registrar Mr. Pieter Janse van Vuuren personally capped each graduate, emphasizing the significance of their academic achievements within the broader educational community.
IOL CEO Ilana Calitz welcomed graduates and their loved ones with remarks highlighting their journey:
“Today is a celebration of achievement, hard work, and resilience. I stand before you with great pride as we recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our graduates from all 14 regions of Namibia. This is not just the conclusion of your academic journey but the beginning of a new chapter as esteemed members of the IOL alumni community. You are now representatives of IOL, and the success you achieve will reflect back on us, inspiring future students.”
Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, Calitz reminded graduates of their potential: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” She encouraged them to embrace curiosity, perseverance, and courage as they shape their communities and nation.
In his keynote address, Dr. Frikkie Engelbrecht, a renowned architect of teacher qualifications at IOL, emphasized a holistic approach to education:
“Education is not about marks; it is about developing people holistically. Teachers are ‘people builders’ who guide learners in their intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Explain to learners how fantastic the capacity of their brains is. Their school marks only say they did not study enough or studied incorrectly; they say nothing about the horsepower of their brain.”
Deputy CEO Anna Imalwa concluded the ceremony by encouraging graduates to maintain their connection with IOL:
“As part of the IOL family, we urge you to stay in touch with the institute by becoming active members of the alumni network. You are now IOL ambassadors, and it will be our honor to welcome you into the alumni community.”
Since its inception, IOL has graduated more than 16,000 students, serving as a beacon of development for Namibians pursuing careers in education. The institution maintains its commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education.
Courses Represented by Graduates in 2024:
This year’s graduates spanned a variety of qualifications that reflect IOL’s dedication to equipping Namibians with the skills needed for success in education and policing:
1. Certificate in Policing Level 5 (POLC)
2. Diploma in Policing Level 6 (POLD)
3. Certificate in Early Childhood Education Level 5 (CECE)
4. Diploma in Early Childhood Education Level 6 (DPPE)
5. Diploma in Junior Primary Education Level 7 (DJPE)
6. Diploma in Education: Secondary Level 7 (DES)
7. Advanced Certificate in Senior Primary Education Level 7 (ACPE)
8. Diploma in Secondary Education Level 7 (DSE)
9. Diploma in Education Level 7 (DE)
10. Bachelor of Education in Senior Primary Education Level 8 (BESP)
11. Bachelor of Education Honours (BEDHONS)
IOL remains dedicated to its mission of empowering Namibians through transformative education, creating a better future for individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.
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