Windhoek
Namibia Airports Company (NAC) this week awarded eight bursaries worth over N$1 million to deserving students in the field of logistics, supply chain management and engineering services focussing on electrical, mechanical and civil disciplines.
Officiating at the ceremony, NAC board of directors chairperson Ndeuhala Lewis said the money will cater for tuition fees, text books, accommodation, information technology equipment, transport and a monthly allowance for each recipient student.
“The Namibia Airports company recognises its key role in national development through the provision of safe and secure airports for all air traffic that departs or arrives in Namibia. According to our turnaround plan we have identified capacity building in aviation related disciplines as a key success factor. The bursaries we are awarding is a manifestation of our commitment to our mandate and our turnaround objectives,” said the NAC board chairperson.
Last year, four NAC-funded students graduated in engineering and they are currently within the employ of the national airports custodian, NAC, as graduate trainees.
“NAC has registered the graduate trainees with the Engineering Council to develop and train them to fully fledged engineers in three years. An in-house training programme is in place to develop civil and electrical engineering expertise over a three-year period in airport planning, maintenance and design, in line with Annexure 14 of ICAO Regulations. The total investment programme is estimated at approximately N$6.5 million over the three-year period,” she stated.
At the same occasion, the NAC chief executive officer Tamer El-Kallawi launched the NAC website (www.airports.com.na), describing it as a milestone in the company’s turnaround endeavours, as it contributes to social transformation and development of the country, by sharing with the rest of the world important information and initiatives of the NAC.
“The website is the NAC’s answer to communicate and inform the world about the organisation. I have been informed that it is not only visibly attractive, but it’s interactive and will compare with any of the websites of the airports around the world,” El-Kallawi said.