Windhoek: The Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) is set to be transformed into a fully-fledged Open University following government approval for the institution to attain university status. Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp confirmed the development in a statement delivered on her behalf during Namcol's graduation ceremony in Windhoek on Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the government had officially approved the elevation of one of Namibia's oldest and key educational institutions to university status in response to growing demand for accessible higher education. This milestone represents more than a change in institutional status, as it is seen as a strategic expansion of Namibia's capacity for higher education, lifelong learning, and skills development. The transition aligns directly with the Eighth Administration's national development agenda and the Sixth National Development Plan, which focus on economic transformation and human development.
Reflecting on Namcol's 30-year history, Steenkamp emphasized that education should extend beyond traditional campuses. The envisaged Open University aims to strengthen flexible learning opportunities for working adults, parents, learners in remote areas, and professionals adapting to technological changes. Given Namibia's vast geography, open and distance learning is crucial in overcoming barriers related to distance and circumstances.
Steenkamp highlighted the importance of pairing access with quality, stating that the institution emerging from this transformation must combine flexibility with robust academic governance, credible quality assurance, appropriate technology, effective learner support, and qualifications that employers and the public can trust. She stressed that the transformation must ensure that greater flexibility and accessibility are accompanied by strong academic governance and credible qualifications.
Describing the transition as a collaborative national undertaking, Steenkamp cited the Otjiherero proverb, 'Ovengi ve puka nu kave karara,' to emphasize the importance of consultation when navigating an unfamiliar path. The ministry plans to work closely with existing universities, the Namibia Qualifications Authority, the Namibia Training Authority, and industry partners to ensure the new university is effectively integrated into Namibia's higher education landscape.