Nujoma launches new Omusati training fund

SWAPO President Sam Nujoma says Vision 2030 can only be realised when the country has a critical mass of well-trained personnel in various fields of science and technology.

Speaking at Outapi at the official launch of the Omusati Education and Training Fund over the weekend, Nujoma said the abundant natural resources in the country are not tapped to benefit people. Nujoma said the thousands of unemployed youth roaming the streets are unemployable because of a lack of required skills.”They can also not be self-employed because they do not have the technical skills to embark upon productive ventures and employ their fellow Namibians,” he said.Nujoma pointed out that the lack of technical expertise is also felt in other SADC countries that are in dire need of engineers.”Although our institutions of higher learning such as the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia have embarked upon bridging courses in engineering, only few students apply every year, making it difficult for our country to narrow the digital divide,” Nujoma said.The Omusati Regional Council, in consultation with the Omusati Regional Education Officer, established the Omusati Education and Training Fund, pledging N$226 905 before the official launch.The fund will provide bursaries and scholarships to deserving students at institutions of higher learning in mathematics, science, English, design and information technology.Since the launch of the National Endowment Fund on September 23 1994, now under the canopy of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, more than 70 students have received scholarships and financial assistance to study in Namibia and South Africa.Nujoma said the thousands of unemployed youth roaming the streets are unemployable because of a lack of required skills.”They can also not be self-employed because they do not have the technical skills to embark upon productive ventures and employ their fellow Namibians,” he said.Nujoma pointed out that the lack of technical expertise is also felt in other SADC countries that are in dire need of engineers.”Although our institutions of higher learning such as the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia have embarked upon bridging courses in engineering, only few students apply every year, making it difficult for our country to narrow the digital divide,” Nujoma said.The Omusati Regional Council, in consultation with the Omusati Regional Education Officer, established the Omusati Education and Training Fund, pledging N$226 905 before the official launch.The fund will provide bursaries and scholarships to deserving students at institutions of higher learning in mathematics, science, English, design and information technology.Since the launch of the National Endowment Fund on September 23 1994, now under the canopy of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, more than 70 students have received scholarships and financial assistance to study in Namibia and South Africa.