The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has launched an information-sharing platform designed to streamline access to bursaries, scholarships and funding opportunities across the country.
The centralised platform was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the private sector, state-owned enterprises, regulators, and development partners.
“Recent statistics reveal a substantial increase in applications for funding, with over 30,000 applications received in 2023 alone. We also know that over the period of 2021 to 2023, over 25,000 potential applicants for study funding have been turned down. The NIPDB is thus committed to bridging this gap and we believe that this platform will serve as a centralised hub where young people can easily access current and credible information about educational funding opportunities, initially local opportunities and at a later stage, international opportunities,” said NIPDB Acting Chief Operations Officer Johan Steenkamp.
NIPDB plans to partner with regional education offices, NAMCOL centres, and vocational training centers to ensure equal access to information. The initiative aims to disseminate vital information to those who may lack internet access.
NIPDB Executive Director for Talent, Innovation, and Productivity, Julia Muetudhana, urged public and private sector entities to contribute to the platform by supplying various study opportunities.
“This becomes our platform that we can all be proud of,” she said, inviting stakeholders to join NIPDB in this important initiative.
Debmarine’s Human Resource and Development Manager, Leandri Petrus, spoke at the launch about the transformative power of education.
“Access to educational opportunities is a powerful equaliser. Education levels the playing field by providing people from all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status, a chance to succeed. When access is limited, societal gaps widen. But when educational opportunities are made available to all, we foster hope and create pathways for everyone to succeed, thereby improving social mobility and reducing inequality,” she said.
