By Regina Simasiku
WINDHOEK – The Roads Authority has granted bursaries worth N$2.5 million, to 19 students. Fifteen of these bursaries were awarded for civil engineering, two in financial accounting and two in computer science.
“It is important to stress here that education is an essential part of life. Education is important to how we think, function and make decisions in our lives,’’ said, Sophia Tekie, Divisional Manger of Road Management Systems of the Roads Authority at the bursary hand over ceremony on January 29, 2015.
Tekie added that it is heart-warming to note that the bursaries were awarded to learners from disadvantaged communities, which gives the recipients access to quality education and in addition, strengthens the fight against poverty and unemployment.
She further said that the Roads Authority prides itself in being a frontrunner regarding to promoting manpower development of the engineering industry. She was also happy to share the fact that the 42 students who received bursaries from the Roads Authority so far have completed their studies, while 40 of the graduates have taken up prominent positions within the Roads Authority.
“Two hundred and ninety-eight applications were received and the selection of the fortunate recipients was based on academic performance, financial need, affirmative action (gender, race, disability) and diversity,’’ explained Tekie.
“Our aim is to facilitate the engineering profession in its crucial role towards maintaining Namibia’s excellent infrastructure, including transport, telecommunications, power and water supply, and the effective utilisation of scarce resources,’’ said, Gunter Leicher, president of the Engineering Professions Association (EPA).
The Roads Authority Bursary Scheme started in 2003 with 80 Namibian learners, who received bursaries to study in various disciplines at various institutions of higher learning within and beyond Namibia’s borders, with special focus on civil engineering and other fields relevant to the operations of the Roads Authority. The initiative forms part of the Roads Authority’s social responsibility programme.
“We are confident that our humble effort is contributing to the national, economic and social development of our country,” concluded Tekie.