KEETMANSHOOP – Higher education deputy minister Nathalia /Goagoses says more should be done to increase the number of graduates from the science field at the University of Namibia’s southern campus.
She made this call when visiting the tertiary institution during her visits to various higher learning facilities in the //Kharas region recently.
“As stakeholders, we should sit around the table and see how we can best prepare and assist students to enrol in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) study fields, as this is their gateway to being accepted into the geosciences discipline at the campus,” /Goagoses told the institution’s management.
The politician continued that another challenge to be addressed is to ensure more learners enrol and complete the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level of their secondary education path, as this is the entry requirement for admission to the geosciences field of study.
“As a university, we should respond to the highly talked-about developmental agenda of the production of green hydrogen, as well as oil-and-gas discoveries, hence the need to ensure more students are trained in these areas accordingly through geosciences as one of the interventions required,” said the deputy minister.
/Goagoses continued: “It is worrisome to be informed here today that only one of the 20 students in the geosciences class hails from this region. Something must be really done urgently to change this scenario”.
She also expressed her appreciation towards the campus management for their efforts and commitment as was observed during her tour of the facilities and lecture rooms.
“It is rather commendable to observe an atmosphere of peace, tranquilly and happiness amongst the students, who clearly demonstrated that they are here for serious business, namely to get their qualifications,” she said.
In his contribution, campus director Seth Eiseb said the geosciences department continues to play a crucial role in the country’s national development goals due to the envisaged demands on critical raw materials and the transition to clean energy.
“The discovery of oil reserves in southern Namibia also dictates that we need to train for a knowledge-based economy that maximises benefit through the local content policies in these industries,” he said.
He also noted that the geosciences discipline is only offered at the southern campus, hence their relentless efforts to cater to all corners of Namibia.
When interviewed by New Era, Melania Nepolo, a second-year Bachelor of Education student, said, “I do hereby encourage learners to study hard and make sure to be admitted for geosciences, as this is where the future lies for us, the youth”.
Nepolo continued that she is very happy to study at a campus, where students and lecturers alike are accommodating and have state-of-the-art facilities at their disposal.