The Dawn Of An Era At Namibia University of Science and Technology

The day was filled with jubilation as students, their families and friends filled the Safari Court Hotel hall, eager to celebrate the new chapter of their lives. The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, delivered the keynote address. “The ball is now in your court to carry all of the goals, aspirations and dreams of all citizens of our global village. NUST, your parents, teachers, siblings, friends and government, have helped you to prepare for the world. The rest is squarely in your hands. But, always remember, Namibia and Namibians will always look up to you to plough back in the country for prosperity,” she said to the graduates.

To date, the University has produced more than 34 000 graduates (head count). Currently, many programmes at NUST lead to Master’s and Doctoral degrees. More than two-thirds of the University’s qualifications are in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

At the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Tjama Tjivikua, bade farewell to the University community, as his term in office draws to a close. “I am extremely grateful to the Namibian government for granting me this opportunity of a lifetime. It is rare for one to create a new university, rarer for a technological university. And I’m extremely grateful for the governors of this university, my colleagues and students and all other stakeholders, without whose steadfast support this success story could not be written. I have been extremely privileged to write a book on ‘the making of a university.’ Indeed, it has been a fantastic journey,” he remarked.

During his 23-year tenure, Dr Tjivikua has shaped the mandate and profile of the Institution, thus transforming and influencing all its spheres and functions.