Efraim Ranjeni
The International University of Management (IUM) conferred 942 degrees during its 18th convocation on Friday, its second graduation ceremony of 2022.
It brings the year’s total graduates to 2 376 after 1 434 graduated in May this year.
Since 1994, the institution has produced almost 30 000 graduates.
The chancellor of the university, and bishop emeritus Shekutaamba VV Nambala hailed parents and guardians for their role in the life, struggles and progress of the graduates.
He said they ensure that students complete their courses without failure by supporting them financially and emotionally.
“Some parents in the process might have gone to an extent of borrowing money and incurred debts for you to finish your studies, for them it was a time for crying and spent sleepless nights for your sake,” said Nambala.
The founder of IUM, professor David Namwandi, congratulated the graduates for investing their every effort into their studies. Citing his own book titled ‘The Crux of the Education Matter’ Namwandi said, “we are our own enemies because we resist change and keep carrying baggage which has nothing to do with ourselves, leave alone those who are surrounding us.”
Namwandi called on graduates to join the IUM Alumni Association.
He also boasted about the rapid expansion of the institution all over Namibia.
“Given the demand for our programmes, we have reacted swiftly by upgrading facilities, such as Ongwediva, which is currently underway, construction of a multipurpose centre in Windhoek, a new campus will be constructed next year in Swakopmund and the one for Eenhana is expected to commence next week and our own tech campus will get land we bought from the Walvis Bay town authorities,” emphasised Namwandi.
He said the institution is also in serious talks with the Okahao town council to purchase land for another IUM campus in that town.
Namwandi tendered his gratitude to education sympathisers for their support towards the project of developing the country through the vehicles of education, in particular graduates.
“Dear graduates, your country needs you. Namibia, needs you. Nowhere is your skills needed more than in delivery of competent management of failing systems in our country,” assured Namwandi.
“IUM is evidence that Namibians can create and produce excellence through the doubting and the negativity,” Namwandi said.