Over 2 200 students graduate at Nust, more female students than male

A total of 2 243 students are due to graduate from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) this year, with women comprising 57% of graduates.

Nust held a ceremony for the first batch of graduates in Windhoek on Thursday.

Nust vice chancellor Erold Naomab said fields like commerce, human sciences and education are needed locally.

“In a developing country like Namibia, with its rich mineral resources and vast potential, the significance of disciplines such as commerce, human sciences and education cannot be overstated. These are the professionals graduating today,” Naomab said.

Naomab said science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates are not the only fields needed for the growing oil and green hydrogen industry.

Public policy, law and ensuring social cohesion are also in need of experts.

“You may need to be reskilled and upskilled in certain areas. However, you are perfectly positioned to take full advantage of Namibia’s emerging industrial and economic sectors,” Naomab said.

About 100 international students graduated and Naomab urged them to seek new and emerging changes in their home counties or in Namibia.

He added that 40% of graduates are postgraduate degree holders, which solidifies Nust’s stance as a world-class research-focused and technology-driven university.

“Research and innovation are at the heart of what we do at Nust. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, fostering partnerships with industry and government, and empowering our students and faculty to become leaders in their fields,” Naomab said.

Speaking at the graduation, Nust council chairperson Leake Hangala reiterated that graduation is both the end of an important phase and also the beginning of the world of full adulthood, with all the social and individual responsibilities that entails.

Hangala commended parents, guardians, lecturers and teachers for the effort they put into helping students to graduate.

“They could not have done it without you. As our graduates look forward, you are entitled to look back, to take pride in the fact that you have successfully nurtured the next generation of Namibian leaders and achievers,” he said.

Nust graduation ceremonies this month and next will see 962 male students and 1 281 female students graduating. The Nust Eenhana Satellite Campus will host its first graduation ceremony and official groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, 3 May.