A total of 213 students were conferred degrees, diplomas and a doctorate during a graduation ceremony in Keetmanshoop on Tuesday. Female candidates represented 81% (173), with 40 males (19%) receiving their academic qualifications at the event.
For the first time in its history, the University of Namibia’s southern campus conferred the Bachelor of Nursing (Clinical) Honours degree on 34 candidates during the cremony.
Unam vice-chancellor, professor Kenneth Matengu, said this graduation ceremony attests to the fact that the higher learning institution is committed to the pursuit of excellence in the development of skilled human resources in various fields, including education, nursing science, accounting, law, business administration and geology at its southern campus.
‘’This campus, by virtue of its location and existing expertise, will play a pivotal role in green hydrogen research and associated industries, hence Unam’s desire to establish a Geoscience Centre of Excellence here in future,’’ he noted.
Matengu also expressed delight in observing that the institution has evolved and continues to diversify its programme offerings, student intakes and expanding its infrastructure.
Professor Frednard Gideon, pro-vice-chancellor for academic affairs, described a graduation ceremony as generally a moment of joy and celebration after years of academic hard work.
“The university had to swiftly shift to virtual teaching, learning, assessment and graduation ceremonies during the past two years due to the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,’’ he said. He thus applauded the graduates for their resilience, considering the disruptive nature and impact of the coronavirus on higher education in particular, and education in general.
The academic further reasoned for Namibia to become an industrialised country, the need for skilled and competent human capital will be a prerequisite that cannot be over-emphasised.
“Our contribution as a university to development and a knowledge society is through the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, the pursuit of transnational research and innovation, and in providing quality training relevant to addressing national developmental aspirations,’’ Gideon observed.
When addressing the graduates, he reminded them that Unam has prepared them to become critical thinkers, innovators, as well as productive and responsible global citizens.
“Use your acquired knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to respond to the global challenges of poverty, socio-economic inequalities and impact of climate change on livelihoods,” said Gideon.
He added that they should also strive to make a difference and be part of communities by contributing towards the change they want to see.
‘’Be conscious that learning is from birth to the grave; it is a lifelong process. Therefore, your graduation today should not be your final destination,’’ said the academic. Gideon called on the graduates to be gracious and cognisant at all times that their parents, guardians and society invested in their future.
Errol Poulton, father of Erroleen, who has been conferred with a Master’s Degree of Science in Development Finance, could not contain his joy over his daughter’s academic achievement.
“She made me a very proud parent, and I hope that this will not be the last academic qualification she will bring home,” he said.
Desiree de Wee, one of the more mature students and a teacher by profession, pursued a Diploma in Junior Primary Education, and described this achievement as a big step in her life and future.
“I am very happy and excited to make it until here, and will definitely now aim towards obtaining my Bachelors Degree in Education,” she beamed.
She then encouraged unemployed and unqualified youth not to give up hope and follow their dreams, with education as the first stepping stone.