By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
In education Namibians have a challenge that must be overcome and that is to redefine our systems to deliver quality education.
This fact was reemphasized on Monday by the Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia, Dr Tjama Tjivikua, during a bursary handing-over ceremony to three formally disadvantaged engineering students worth N$120 000 by a mining company, Basil Read.
“The quality of education depends on factors such as governance, management, delivery mechanisms and performance. In a university we need good faculties and students, and vice versa. Given the history of the country’s education system and the large numbers of deprived students, it is important we empower the student and the faculty with the right tools.
“A bursary is one tool that empowers the student to focus on his/her studies without having to worry about the cost of education,” said Tjivikua, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Basil Read.
The only Namibian director on the board of the mining company, Sakkie Kaulinge, in a speech on behalf of the company consi-ders the bursaries as an investment in human capital.
“The student bursary scheme forms an integral part of our company’s training vision and corporate responsibility. The scheme is primarily aimed at young people wishing to study further in the field of engineering, including civil, mining, mechanical as well as surveying,” Kaulinge said in acknowledging the fact that Basil Read received more than sixty applications for the bursaries.
His company’s operational activities are primarily aimed at training and supporting the national economy.