Windhoek
The future of a young Namibian man looks bleak as he struggles to raise funds for his studies at a medical school in Russia. The 28-year-old hopeful, Amon Junias, is seeking financial help after he got accepted to study general medicine at Irkutsk State Medical University in Russia, where he is expected to fork out US$4 800 (about N$72 000) for his studies.
Junias scored 35 points in six subjects and said he could not get funding from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) because the institution funds students with 35 points in five subjects. He said NSFAF also told him that they only fund three universities in Russia and not the one he applied at. He explained that he has a letter from the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) indicating that the university appears on the list of recognized institutions in Russia. NQA also advised him to consult the Health Professions Council of Namibia for further information.
“I need financial assistance to pursue my career and come back to my country and liberate it from illnesses,” said Junias, while appealing to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and the Office of the First Lady Monica Geingos and good Samaritans to assist him. Junias’ mother is unemployed and his father is deceased. He is the second born of seven children and his older brother does not have fixed employment, hence he can’t assist him. “I was supposed to get a study loan from a local bank through my cousin but because he has debts through furniture shops the loan could not be approved,” he explained.
When asked why he cannot enroll for another course, he responded that it’s his dream to become a medical doctor. He said he has also applied for mining engineering at a different university but could not make it for registration because he does not have money. Junias, a former learner at Eengedjo Senior Secondary School, completed Grade 12 in 2013 and the following year did a course in boiler-making but struggled with technical drawing. “Last year I tried to improve my drawing but there was no difference and that’s when I got information from Russia and I applied,” he told New Era. The funding he needs includes tuition fees, and accommodation and other expenses.
NSFAF senior manager for marketing and communications Percy Tjahere confirmed that they fund medical students who achieve 35 points in five subjects. He said when students apply it’s laid out that they fund three universities in Russia. However, Tjahere advised Junias to improve his grades in order to meet the 35 points in five subjects or apply for a nursing programme at the University of Namibia. He said Junias meets the local requirements of 25 points with an E in English, hence he can apply for a different course. “Students should not only pin their hopes on studying at international universities, they should also apply locally,” he said.