Over 900 students graduated from the University of Namibia's Ongwediva Campus.

Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation Minister Itah Kandji-Murangi reminded the graduates to be conscious, as they are living in a globally competitive world where success is dependent on knowledge acquisition, application, innovation, and productivity.

Dr. Kandjii Murangi says UNAM has pumped into the market thousands of graduates sufficient to contribute to nation-building and its well-being.

Graduates in natural science are expected to explore and discover, while engineers are critical to achieving infrastructure development in Namibia.

"For us as the government, your graduation today is a testimony to the fact that the government's national resource development programme is being fulfilled in different areas that are needed by our economy."

The minister says it is gratifying to note the increase in students studying in various study fields at the northern campuses.

Students in the field of engineering increased from 30 in 2009 to over 820 in 2024, with female engineering students increasing from 22% in 2012 to 32% this year.

International students constitute 10% of the engineering student population.

552 students, including Ph.D. and master's degrees, have graduated in the field of engineering since its establishment 15 years ago.

She called on graduates to go out into the competitive world of work, demonstrate their professional capabilities, and show positive change.

UNAM's Vice Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu, called on the graduates to go out and look for work, not a job.

"Jobs are things we do for payment, but they are not always productive. Work is something that we human beings do productively to meet human needs."