KEETMANSHOOP – Most solutions found for problems encountered in today’s world are provided by the engineering fraternity, says Ernestine Endjala, a metallurgic engineer for Namdeb.
Endjala was speaking during a workshop with 250 //Kharas female secondary school learners last weekend to entice them into exploring future careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. “The importance of the engineering field has all to do with problem-solving and analytical thinking,” she said while calling on female learners to join the engineering field in order to build an industrialised Namibia in the future.
Another Namdeb engineer, Prudence Shipandeni emphasised the importance of showing young girls the possibilities of the engineering field as this can add value to their future.
“We are here to highlight the fact that not only boys can become engineers and furthermore to encourage these female learners to jump to the opportunity provided in pursuing a career in engineering,” she said. The workshop was organised by mining giants Debmarine/Namdeb in partnership with Women in Engineering (WomEng).
Brent Eiseb, the chairperson of the Debmarine/Namdeb Foundation, said education remains a key component of the foundation’s focus areas.
“These awareness micro workshops make sure girls are enlightened and can make informed decisions in choosing careers in the STEM fields rather than avoiding them,” said Eiseb who is also CEO of the Namibia Diamond Trading Company.
He added that through such partnerships, the foundation will continually strengthen programmes to support equal opportunities across all forms of diversity.
Delivering her keynote address, //Kharas regional governor Aletha Frederick said there is no denying that STEM is becoming increasingly important for the future job market, especially in the //Kharas region with the upcoming green hydrogen energy development.
Following the workshop, Suiderlig Secondary School learner Mercia Paulser told Youth Corner she learned a lot more at the workshop about the engineering field.
“Although my first choice is to study criminal law, I might consider now becoming a mining engineer one day,” she added.
Veruscka Kauika, a learner from Adam Steve Combined School, said the workshop was highly informative and thanked the organisers for coming down to the south, encouraging female learners to join the engineering field.
“It is now my intention of qualifying as a chemical engineer as my career path,” she said. – sklukowski@nepc.com.na