In bristling style, the University of Namibia Katima Mulilo and Rundu Campuses respectivly graduated PhD candidates, a first for their campuses. The ceremonies held last week capped graduates who completed their studies on full-time, part-time and distance modes, from various faculties and disciplines.

The Campuses since their merger with UNAM continue to experience high number of growth in student intake, graduates as well as facility upgrades.

The Katima Mulilo Campus this year conferred certificates, diplomas as well as bachelors, masters and PhD degrees on more than 276 graduands in agriculture and natural resources, economics and management science, education, humanities and social sciences and law faculties.

Officiating at the graduation ceremony as new UNAM Chancellor, H.E Dr Nangolo Mbumba, exultantly reminded the graduates what is expected from them that day forward. “We expect our graduands who have gained theoretical or practical proficiency of the degree courses they have completed in various academic disciplines, to be guided in the application of such knowledge to address the development challenges facing Namibia, by ageless principles such as truth, justice and good morals, and to make healthy and beneficial decisions for their personal and the country’s wellbeing.”

Dr Josephine Sitwala is the first to graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy in English Studies from the Katima Mulilo Campus. Dr Sitwala is currently a lecturer and coordinator at the Department of Language Centre, at the same Campus.

Rundu Campus also graduated its first PhD candidate, Dr Fillemon Mungongi, who is Head of the Education in Languages, Humanities and Commerce Department at the Campus, graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in English Studies.

The Rundu Campus graduation ceremony was held at the Rundu Trade Fair Centre due to the increasing number of graduates, capped over 432 graduands. This included graduates’ in education, commerce and a significant number of distance students, and amongst those were two international female students from Zimbabwe.

“All of you who are graduating today, have proven to your professors, lecturers and society at large that you have as individuals the intellectual and emotional capacity to address any given problem and overcome it, and thus are worthy of being proper members of society,” accentuated Dr Mbumba at the Rundu Campus ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, UNAM Vice Chancellor, Professor Lazarus Hangula applauded the Campus on its first PhD graduate. “Quite interesting in today’s graduation is the fact that for the first time in the history of this campus, UNAM is graduating a PhD student who accomplished his studies through UNAM Staff Development Programme. Equally fulfilling is the significant number of graduands who have completed their studies through the distance mode via our Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning (CODeL).”

Professor Hangula wished “each and every one” of the beaming graduates “success in life”. He laid emphasis to the Class of 2018 that: “As you go about your professional life, don’t forget your Alma Mater. Ensure that you remain good alumni who keep UNAM’s name in high esteem as her true ambassadors.”

UNAM’s graduation season ends on 15 May in Keetmanshoop, with the Southern Campus celebrating its first graduation ceremony in southern Namibia. At the same occasion, UNAM will award a Doctor of Philosophy in Education honoris causa to Sr. Paule Elizabeth Atiogbe of Karasburg. A devoted catholic, the 89-year-old Sr. Paule Elizabeth Atiogbe has served Namibia tirelessly as teacher and principal in numerous towns and schools across the country.

“Today, you have proven to your professors, lecturers and society at large that you have, as individuals, the intellectual and emotional capacity to address any given problem”.