Windhoek
The minister in charge of technical and vocational training and employment in Congo-Brazzaville, Serge Blaise Zoniaba, says there is no nationality in the job market, only qualifications.
Zoniaba, who was a guest of honour during the International University of Management’s (IUM) eleventh graduation ceremony on Friday, said although the graduates have qualifications, they should be aware of the fact that “we live in a competitive world”.
“Talents are being produced all over the world. These talents enter the labour markets of all countries. That means that as you were seated in classrooms here there were people getting their education in Singapore, Japan, Nigeria, France, the United States, Rwanda, Switzerland, Senegal, Tunisia, Germany and so on. These are the ones you will be competing with. In order to pull all the chances to your side, education must not stop,” he noted.
He also said Africans must control all economic and social aspects of their environment by way of their know-how and expertise, adding that Africans must be fully responsible for the fate of their respective countries and become strong enough to have a voice when big issues in the world are debated.
The minister, who congratulated the graduates, urged them to keep on working hard so as to get the best qualifications, to be competitive, and to become the true master of their destiny.
“Get yourselves involved in activities that make you become a true entrepreneur. Create, innovate, and participate in the diversification of the economies of your countries. Think out of the box. Don’t be afraid. Believe in yourself and be humble,” he advised.
Zoniaba also stressed the cordial relations that Namibia and Congo-Brazzaville have enjoyed historically in the fields of technical and vocational training. During 2011 the two governments decided to rehabilitate the Loudima School by turning it into the Loudima Institute of Technical and Vocational Training, with the idea to strengthen existing bilateral ties between the two countries.
He says the project is forward-looking as it aims to improve the capacity of the youth, the future of both countries and the African continent at large. Further, he stressed that investing in education is fundamental in getting people out of the darkness of ignorance and poverty.
He applauded IUM for meeting all the criteria of an educational institution of excellence with a modern campus, well-equipped lecture halls and seminar rooms, programmes aimed at the needs in demand in local and international labour markets, a staff of high calibre, the conduct of relevant research, accreditation and international recognition.
“Therefore, these are well-deserved congratulations that I address to Dr David Namwandi (IUM founder) for its outstanding contribution to the advancement of higher education on our continent. I encourage him to keep high the standards of integrity and excellence throughout the development of the International University of Management,” he concluded.