Bank Windhoek recently awarded N.dollars 75 000 to 19 students enrolled in a Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting (DSL) at the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol).

Namcol recently launched the Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting, a first in Namibia after previous students had to complete this qualification in South Africa.

Louretta Louw, Head of People Development at Bank Windhoek, told Nampa on Friday that as a proud Namibian bank, one of Bank Windhoek’s key strategic objectives is diversity and inclusivity.

She emphasised that while these are two related concepts, they are not interchangeable.

“Diversity is about an entity’s representation or make-up. Inclusion is about how well different groups of people’s contributions, presence and perspectives are valued and integrated into an environment. Based on this, we are committed as an organisation to supporting these concepts,” she said.

According to Imogene Hilukiluah, Programme Developer at Namcol, the assistance came at an opportune time because many of the participating students are from disadvantaged communities and are unemployed.

“In Namibia, there are very few qualified sign language interpreters. However, such professionals’ services are in high demand. The students have an interest and passion for this field, either because they have a relative with a hearing disability or because they recognise the need in this country,” she explained.

In terms of job opportunities, Hilukiluah believes sign language interpreting could provide opportunities for Namibian youth to work in corporate institutions and at national events.

Namcol is a statutory institution established by Parliamentary Act No. 1 of 1997 to contribute to Namibia’s social and economic development by raising the educational levels of adults and out-of-school youth.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency