Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has said that plans are underway to transform the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) into an open university.

Ballotti stated this during his keynote address at Namcol’s graduation ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday, which saw about 130 students graduate in different fields of study under the theme ‘Navigating economic uncertainty in a changing world’.

“It gives me much pride to confirm that the plans are underway to transform Namcol into an open university,” he said.

Before reaffirming the ministry's support for the dream of converting the college into an open university, he noted that the aspiration is the nation’s priority at large, not just Namcol’s.

“I really want this to be realised next year,” Ballotti stressed, adding that the institution has restored confidence and offered second chances to individuals of different age groups.

The deputy minister also implored the graduates to work hard with honesty and take their acquired skills where they are needed most.

Also speaking at the event, Namcol's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nghepathimo Kadhila, urged the graduates to convert their success into societal and economic advancement at international and national levels.

He also cleared up a common misunderstanding that Namcol is a second-chance institution just because it offers programmes that help individuals improve.

“We are not second-hand graduates. We are fully fledged graduates and on the same level as graduates from other institutions,” he noted.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates during the ceremony, Sonia Shiindi urged her fellow graduates to be persistent in challenging current circumstances.

“Let's be bold in our pursuit, taking risks and challenging the status quo. Let's not be afraid to fail, for it's through our failures that we learn and grow,” Shiindi said.