Marythar Kambinda
KATIMA MULILO - About 260 students graduated in various fields including education, law, wildlife studies, veterinary science and applied health science at the University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo campus on Tuesday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Unam chancellor Nangolo Mbumba congratulated the graduates of 2022 for their perseverance and resilience to succeed against all odds.
He said the university, like all other Namibian educational institutions, had to shift from the face-to-face mode of teaching, learning and assessment following the announcement of the first Covid-19 positive case in Namibia in 2020.
UNESCO’s 2021 global survey on the impact of Covid-19 on higher education revealed, amongst others, that it impacted enrolment or access to higher education in various degrees, depending on income levels and government funding support.
Mbumba stated how Covid-19 significantly and negatively affected especially the international mobility of staff and students, although virtual mobility could compensate for limited physical mobility.
In addition to this, it worsened existing inequality in higher education, interrupted research and community engagement activities of universities, and reduced internship opportunities for students.
“I am delighted to observe that the Katima Mulilo campus has evolved, and continues to transform and diversify its programme offerings, as well as expand and improve its infrastructural development into modern facilities”.
Unam vice chancellor professor Kenneth Matengu said it is generally a moment of joy and celebration after years of academic hard work.
Although the use of technology has strengthened the university to allow operations during a crisis such as the pandemic, the value of real human-to-human interaction has no equal substitute, he added.
“I am, therefore, delighted to be attending a face-to-face graduation with you”.
Matengu revealed that Unam had embarked upon a major restructuring exercise, including curriculum transformation.
He also highlighted the fact that the majority of the graduates were women at 156, making up (52%), compared to 144 (48%) who are male. Among these graduates is one female student from the marginalised communities who obtained a diploma in Animal Health.
The vice chancellor urged the graduates to be gracious and cognisant at all times as their parents, guardians and society had invested in their future.
“Go out into the world, be ambassadors of the university, carry the Unam brand high, and be the change you want to be in your community and country”, said Matengu.
The CEO of the Roads Authority, Conrad Lutombi, gave the motivational speech at the ceremony and said this day is important in the lives of the graduates as it is the beginning of a new journey.
“Regardless of your social background or economic status, education breaks the barrier of socio-economic inequality. Thus, education at best should be understood as a social process and growth, not preparation for life, but life itself,” he stated.
Lutombi further encouraged the graduates not to limit themselves to the Zambezi region, but to expand their horizons and seek job opportunities anywhere in the country.
Marythar Kambinda is an information officer at MICT.
- mkambinda@nepc.com.na