Katjavivi urges new graduates to contribute to Vision 2030

WINDHOEK, 26 APR  – Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Chancellor, Peter Katjavivi on Thursday said there is a need to foster, enhance and strengthen NUST’s agenda to become a world-class university.
Katjavivi, speaking during the university’s graduation ceremony in the capital, said Namibia’s prestige and competitiveness depend on the quality of her universities, graduates, research outputs and services.
He noted that this year’s graduation was significant as NUST was graduating its first doctoral degrees.
Katjavivi said it is encouraging to note that only a few years after its establishment, NUST managed to enrol 28 students on Doctoral (PhD) programmes and 371 on Master’s Degree programmes.
He said the success of these students in their studies is vital in contributing to the country achieving Vision 2030.
“The Namibian government envisions our country as a developed nation in 2030, barely 12 years from now. If we think it is too late, then it is incumbent on us to creatively realise this sense of urgency.”
The chancellor stated that a country needs two main things to become developed; an increasing number of qualified and skilled people and an increased capacity to generate and employ knowledge productively.
It is therefore in the best interest of the government to develop and support universities to a level of advancing the knowledge base, and to competitively engage in technology transfer and productivity, he added.
“Our Government wants NUST to produce an increasing number of graduates at all levels – Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate and even post-doctoral level,” he said.
He congratulated those graduating, and urged them to contribute positively to the Namibian economy through their newly acquired qualifications.
“As Chancellor, I always look forward to sharing this momentous celebratory occasion with you. It gives me a great feeling of joy and triumph whenever a graduate walks with confidence and a bright smile across the stage to receive his or her award,” he said.

NAMPA