• Education

Namcol hosts 20th graduation ceremony

Enzo Amuele

The Namibian College for Open Learning (Namcol) held its 20th graduation ceremony at the Jetu Jam facility in Windhoek on 16 September 2021.

The theme was: ‘The Importance of e-Learning in Enhancing Teaching and Learning in the Face of the Pandemic.’

The event was held both virtually and physically.

According to Namcol chief executive officer Heroldt Murangi, the college's academic performance and student development have improved dramatically in recent years.

“In terms of student development, the college enrolled 395 students in tertiary programmes in 2008, and we enrolled 4357 students plus 329 TVET trainees last year. This shows a significant and gradual growth in enrolment,” he said.

Murangi further stated that Covid-19 has made a significant impact on the education community by altering the way education is offered.

“The pandemic's outbreak has taught the global education community that, in order to progress teaching and learning in these dreadful circumstances, institutions must invest in modern e-learning technologies and sufficient resources to ensure that effective teaching and learning continues.

“The abrupt closure of educational institutions has accelerated the development of the online learning environment so that learning would not be severely disrupted,” he said.

Murangi went on to say that graduation is a significant milestone for students and their families, and he congratulated the graduates on their outstanding achievement.

“Completing your education is a significant personal achievement, and this achievement brings joy and pleasure to relatives and friends who helped you achieve your goals,” he said.

According to Moses Shikerete, being a graduate student on a remote learning programme was not easy.

“Our names will be inscribed in the sky as of today because of our achievements; we have certainly made history,” he said.

“However, we must remember that our mission is to go serve our communities; the theory that we have learnt must be put into practice,” he added.

Shikerete went on to say that society expects them to be ambassadors for Namcol as graduates, and he asked his classmates to be the change they have always wanted to see in their communities.