An engineering association plays a powerful and transformative role in the academic journey of university students, serving as both a platform for growth and a bridge to real-world opportunities, according to the Young Consulting Engineers of Namibia (YCEN).
YCEN is a forum for young professionals operating under the Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia (ACEN), based in Windhoek.
The vision is to empower young engineering professionals by fostering a supportive community that promotes professional growth, collaboration, and continuous learning across Namibia.
“YCEN acts as a bridge between academia and the consulting engineering industry, helping graduates and young professionals prepare to play meaningful roles in Namibia’s development. Our objective is to develop well-rounded engineers who are technically skilled, ethically grounded, and socially conscious,” said Kutlo Modie, YCEN’s president.
She said they host a range of activities throughout the year under these committees, including webinars on professional registration, technical and soft skills, and personal development. “Additional exposure encompasses technical site visits that give participants real-world exposure to engineering projects; and networking sessions that connect emerging engineers with senior professionals and peers in the industry,” highlighted Modie.
She stated that one of YCEN’s most impactful initiatives to date is the Job Shadowing Day, held in March 2025.
“During this programme, students and graduate engineers were placed at various ACEN member firms to gain real-life exposure to the consulting engineering environment. A total of 26 participants benefited from the initiative, experiencing first-hand what the daily work of a consulting engineer entails,” she stated.
Modie added that due to its overwhelming success and positive feedback from both participants and firms, this initiative will now become an annual flagship programme, offering students continued access to meaningful industry exposure.
Recently, YCEN embarked on a technical site visit to one of Namibia’s flagship mega-projects, the Neckartal Dam.
Vice President of the YCEN, Mike Mulife, said that young professionals from various engineering disciplines participated in an in-depth technical tour of the largest dam in the country, gaining first-hand exposure to the scale, complexity, and multi-disciplinary coordination required for a project of this magnitude.
“The site visit offered participants a unique opportunity to engage with real infrastructure on the ground, deepening their appreciation of the civil, mechanical, electrical, and operational aspects that make Neckartal Dam a critical asset for national development. A total of 15 participants attended the visit, including three students who earned their spots by winning a YCEN competition aimed at promoting industry exposure,” he added.
Beyond professional growth, YCEN is dedicated to making a meaningful and consistent impact on the community. Over the past year, the network has actively participated in several charitable initiatives, demonstrating the importance of social responsibility within the engineering profession.
“YCEN members have supported Needy Hearts Soup Kitchen and the Desert Kidz Care Foundation through both donations and hands-on volunteering. These engagements included assisting with meal preparation, serving food, contributing necessities, and spending time with children and families in need. Through these initiatives, young professionals not only contributed to improving the well-being of vulnerable groups, but also experienced the value of compassion, teamwork, and community engagement. These qualities extend beyond engineering practice,” he said.
Membership is open to young professionals under 35 who work for ACEN member firms; other engineering professionals and students are also welcome to join. Members gain access to the YCEN database, which provides exclusive information, mentorship opportunities, and updates on upcoming events and initiatives.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na