University of Namibia vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu has boasted about the quality of the institution’s qualifications, saying graduates are sought-after and occupy notable international positions.
He noted some alumni have cemented themselves on the international scene, working for foreign corporations in countries around the world.
“The education that Unam provides is internationally competitive and comparable to any reputable institution of higher learning anywhere in the world,” Matengu said at yesterday’s spring graduation ceremony, held at the main campus in Windhoek.
Individuals mentioned include Ndjodi Ndeunyema, a research director at Oxford University; Francine Furaha Muyumba, who is a senator in the Democratic Republic of Congo parliament as well as Panduleni Elago, a senior advisor in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme of the African Union. Additionally, Hilma Moses is a human rights officer at the United Nations; Selma Karuaihe is a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria, and Sem Shikongo, serves as the Head of the Access and Benefit-sharing Unit at the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity in Montreal, Canada.
“The progress and achievements of the university are further demonstrated by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 13 October 2022. African universities have made dramatic progress in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, as, for the first time, 97 universities from 17 countries – up from 71 last year – have been rated to be part of the best universities globally, with 10 of them in the top 500,” expanded Matengu.
This brings the total number of Unam graduates for 2022 to 5 833 quality graduates. This is the highest number of graduates in the history of the university.
Among the honorary doctorate recipients is Gaob Justus |Uruhe ǁGaroëb, who was bestowed a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science.
ǁGaroëb became Gaob (king) of the Damara people in 1982 and founded the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1989.
A second honorary degree, a Doctor of Philosophy in Language Studies (Literature), was awarded to Thomas Ndjembo Angula. Deemed a ‘walking encyclopaedia’, Angula excelled in written and oral history.
He has contributed to community service by translating health and educational materials in Oshindonga to make them more accessible to the Aawambo people. Angula is the founder of Magnum OpusPublishers and Sales, which was established in 2010.
Chancellor of Unam and vice president Nangolo Mbumba said since independence, the education system has made concerted efforts to empower the girl child to enable them to receive education, realise their potential and contribute to national development.
With the majority (70%) of the graduates being female, Mbumba acknowledged, “the boy child is now lagging in terms of higher education. Efforts must now be directed to the boy child to bring them at par with their female counterparts”.
psiririka@nepc.com.na