Over 300 graduate from NIT

Embrace self-reliance, integrity and hands-on innovation
Leaders urge the new graduates to apply their practical skills and contribute to Namibia’s economic development.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 2 Weeks Ago

In a celebration of academic achievement and technical innovation, more than 300 students graduated from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) during its fourth graduation ceremony in Windhoek.

The ceremony recognised achievements across four specialised faculties: the School of Applied Engineering, Innovation and Technology; the School of Applied Business, Innovation and Management (SABIM); the School of Applied Health, Innovation and Sciences (SAHIS); and the School of Applied Education, Training and Innovation.

SABIM was named the overall best-performing school, followed closely by the School of Engineering.

Addressing the graduates, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Wenzel Kavaka urged the new cohort to uphold integrity, commit to lifelong learning and become solution-driven leaders within their communities.

Emphasising the importance of practical experience, Kavaka said 70% of institutional learning should be based on hands-on work. “You are the architect, the builder, the innovator and the leader who has been generating the economic narrative of our great nation.”

He reminded graduates that their qualifications represented more than academic achievement, describing them as active contributors to Namibia’s socio-economic development.

The graduating class was commended for meeting demanding practical requirements, including integrated action projects, laboratory work, practical assignments, project presentations and endurance challenges.

NIT Vice-Chancellor Professor Frederick Chizu Simpungwe challenged graduates to move beyond their comfort zones and remain focused on achieving their goals. “Your parents should not continue to spoon-feed you. You need to move away from your comfort zone. It is time you reach your potential, dear graduates.”

He encouraged graduates to avoid comparing themselves with others and instead focus on building their own paths.

The emphasis on practical training resonated with graduates, with one engineering student saying the approach had prepared them for real-world challenges. “The emphasis on practical assignments and endurance challenges gave us real-world confidence. We are not just entering the job market with paper degrees; we are ready to solve actual industrial challenges and build businesses of our own,” the graduate said.

As the latest group of NIT graduates enters the workforce, their practical training and technical skills are expected to contribute to Namibia’s efforts to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development.