Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for Namibia’s higher education system to be more closely aligned with industrialisation, entrepreneurship and job creation, warning that the country cannot build a competitive economy through theoretical education alone.
Speaking at the May 2026 graduation ceremony of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Windhoek on Friday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said institutions of higher learning must produce graduates equipped with practical and industry-relevant skills capable of driving economic transformation under Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
The university graduated 2,962 students across various disciplines, including 164 master’s degree graduates and 13 doctoral candidates. The graduating class comprised 1,187 males and 1,775 females, while 132 international students also graduated.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the gender imbalance among graduates remained a concern, particularly the lower participation of male students.
“However, what is disturbing is that those figures do not reflect the female-to-male population ratio of 51.2% and 48.8%, respectively. The message is clear: we must take the issue of the boy child seriously if we are to strengthen our social fibre and economic advancement,” she said.
The president said government views education and skills development as central to Namibia’s industrialisation strategy and long-term economic growth.
She said institutions such as NUST have become increasingly important in supplying technical skills and applied research needed to support value addition, innovation and employment creation.
“As Namibia prepares for a knowledge-based economy in a rapidly evolving global landscape, I am encouraged by the transformative role of institutions like NUST. NUST stands out as one of the hubs of innovation and applied research, producing graduates equipped with practical skills essential for industrial growth, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She highlighted specialised programmes in areas such as emergency medical care, medical laboratory science and vocational trainer development as examples of industry-linked education required to support economic expansion.
The president said government had expanded access to tertiary education funding through the Subsidised Tertiary Education Funding Model covering students at public and private institutions, as well as vocational training centres.
She added that the income threshold for non-tuition financial assistance had been increased to N$300,000 to broaden access for middle-income households.
Despite progress in higher education access, Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged persistent challenges including youth unemployment, skills mismatches and limited workplace opportunities for graduates.
She said government offices, ministries and agencies had been directed to allocate funding towards internships and apprenticeship programmes aimed at improving graduate employability.
“I urge all institutions of higher learning not to graduate students equipped only with theoretical classroom knowledge, without first-hand practical exposure to actual industry experience. Practical education in the real work environment should supplement the education content received in the classroom,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called on the private sector to strengthen partnerships with universities and support workforce development initiatives.
She said Namibia’s future competitiveness would depend on its ability to integrate education, science, technology and innovation into broader economic development.
“In this new era, it is through knowledge that we will build resilient food systems, create industries, design technologies, grow businesses, improve public services, and develop innovative solutions that respond to the needs of our people,” she said.
