By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK Namibia is facing a daunting challenge in terms of its leadership capacity for the 21st century, and this translates into the country’s ability to compete effectively in the global market. So said the minister of Education, Nangolo Mbumba, on Tuesday. He was the keynote speaker at the Polytechnic of Namibia’s opening for the academic year. The tertiary education institution this year registered 6ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 500 students. “There is a growing awareness that the pattern of hierarchical leadership that may have worked well in the past, is not well suited for the 21st century’s challenges. This century’s leaders will need to understand that solving problems demands collaboration, shared leadership and learning how to partner with others in developing sustainable solutions,” said Mbumba. In the minister’s view, leaders need to be mindful of the dramatic changes that are taking place around the world and impacting the social, economic and natural environment at home and abroad. “Globalization, global warming, pressure on the environment and advanced information technology are some of the most significant changes that are impacting our lives on an unprecedented scale. However, these changes present unique challenges and opportunities that demand effective leadership at all levels of society in order to create and sustain economic and social progress,” he said. He suggested leaders apply technologies to help solve national problems in their respective countries. “Unlike in previous centuries, dominated by agriculture and industrialization, leaders this century should have the ability to master new technologies and, in particular, information technology, and know how to apply these technologies to solve problems. This is because information and knowledge are replacing physical resources as the most important currencies in the world,” the minister said. “Bold and adaptive leadership is needed to address complex and interconnected challenges. We require leaders who can clearly understand and react to the changing internal and international environments. Such leaders have to learn new ways of solving problems. They will have to be distinguished by their capacity to cross boundaries, have a global perspective and be willing to embrace diversity, handle multiple perspective and cultural differences,” said the minister. According to Mbumba, today’s global economic circumstances make higher education a more compelling need in Namibia than ever before. “Key factors in this regard include pressing national, regional and local concerns that require advanced knowledge and a global economy that favours participants with higher technological expertise. Institutions of higher learning must therefore focus on the need to produce graduates capable of leadership in a diverse and changing world,” he suggested. He also urged the Polytechnic of Namibia to develop and offer study programmes directly related to national needs. “While globalization has brought prosperity to some regions of the world, many – including those on the African continent – continue to be left behind, resulting in growing economic disparities between rich and poor countries. This has the potential of creating tension between rich and poor nations, and thus, the relations must be managed skillfully,” he asserted. He also referred to the effects of global warming threatening Namibia’s very geographical existence. “Namibia, a country of two deserts, is often susceptible to drought with 70 percent of our population deriving their livelihood directly from the land. The standard of living for our people is at stake. Thus, balancing environmental pollution and protection as well as sound economic policies will continue to pose a challenge to our fragile ecosystem,” he warned. Dr Tjama Tjavikua, Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia, at the same occasion reminded the record number of enrolled students of their disadvantaged economic backgrounds as first-time university attendants. “Although we have grown significantly in profile, there is still much to do and offer. And our eyes are set on the future. We believe that knowledge must be applied in order to add more meaning to society because knowledge is not an aesthetic value, but a portable good that must be applied meaningfully to solve the problems and challenges of society,” Tjivikua said.