Windhoek: More than 300 students graduated from the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) during its 25th graduation ceremony held at the Yetu Yama Centre in Windhoek on Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the ceremony, themed 'Learning Without Limits: Empowered Today, Leading Namibia Tomorrow', celebrated the resilience and commitment of the graduates while highlighting the role of open and distance learning in Namibia's development. The graduates obtained qualifications ranging from certificates in fields such as automotive mechanics, welding and metal fabrication, plumbing and pipefitting, and office administration to diplomas in occupational health and safety, business and entrepreneurship, education for development, community-based work with children and youth, and early childhood and pre-primary education. Others obtained bachelor's degrees in education and master's degrees in youth and community development.
In a ministerial address delivered on her behalf by Deputy Executive Director Knox Imbuwa, Minister of Education Sanet Steenkamp commended the graduates for overcoming challenges to obtain their qualifications. Steenkamp emphasized that the graduates, who acquired skills in areas including early childhood development, local government studies, and entrepreneurship and youth development, represent the human capital required to advance Namibia's Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
"This understanding is central to the eighth administration's development agenda. NDP6 places economic transformation, employment creation, improved equality and human development at the centre of our national priorities," she said. Steenkamp highlighted the need to expand access to quality education and training, develop supportive policies and legislation, strengthen credible institutions and skills development, and ensure that education responds to the changing needs of the economy.
Congratulating the graduates, she urged them to take pride in their qualifications, stating that their achievements extend beyond individual success. "Every Namibian who becomes knowledgeable, skilled and capable strengthens the human capacity on which our country's progress depends," Steenkamp said.
Namcol's Director of Marketing, Enterprise Development, Records Management and Information and Communication Technology, Albertus Kulobone, stated that the ceremony was aimed not only at conferring qualifications but also at recognizing the resilience, determination, and hard work of graduates who had completed their studies. He noted that many graduates had balanced their studies with employment, family responsibilities, financial challenges, and other personal commitments, demonstrating perseverance in completing their qualifications.