Ongwediva
Auguste Petrus is the first ever student from the University of Namibia’s (Unam) northern campus to receive the Chancellor’s Award for best academic performance.
Petrus received the award during the graduation ceremony in the north on April 28, from Unam Vice-Chancellor Lazarus Hangula.
“This special award is to be received by a student who passed all modules with 70 percent throughout the entire study session, from the first year. The student should have passed all the major subjects with not less than 80 percent to the finish,” he said.
Petrus received her Bachelor of Nursing Clinical Science Honours. The 30-year-old student noted that she had a cerficicate in nursing, which she acquired at the Oshakati Health Training Center.
Petrus said that she was an enrolled nurse for four years and she resigned to fulfil her wish of being a qualified nurse.
“Studies were hectic, I studied really hard. I enjoyed studying in groups with my fellow students and I would always take notes in class. It takes a self-determined, courageous and prayerful student to graduate with a cum laude like myself,” said a proud Petrus.
Petrus further noted that she faced challenges such as a lack of accommodation on campus and she had to rent houses in Oshakati. She also said that she had financial problems.
She noted that the Oshakati Unam campus library is not fully equipped but she was very determined to study hard no matter what.
Petrus stated that she would be going back to Unam next year to study for a master’s degree.
“Having had a certificate in nursing, I felt that most of the things we did were revision. The strength of my desired field is that it is filled with practical aspects,” Petrus said.