The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) will graduate the largest number of graduates in its 10-year history, awarding degrees to 2,804 graduates.
Among the 2,804 graduates, women are the highest, highlighting the university's commitment to gender empowerment in higher education.
The Class of 2024 graduates includes nine PhDs, 157 master's graduates, 743 honours graduates and 100 more earning bachelor's degrees.
The keynote address was delivered by NUST Chancellor Professor Peter Katjavivi, who praised the graduates for their contributions to national interest and development.
"This is all about national interest. This is important to make Namibia a better place and to make Namibia invest in what will make Namibia self-sufficient in a number of areas. So NUST, in terms of value addition, along with the entire value chain in various energy sectors, what are we looking at? We are looking at NUST as an academic institution, a centre of knowledge, and therefore, given the new development on oil and gas, a university spearheaded innovation in development to develop and enhance capacity towards strengthening Namibia and the entire value chain of the petroleum sector."
Vice-Chancellor Dr Erold ||Naomab highlighted that the number of graduates has grown by over 40% in the past decade – a reflection of Namibia's increasing demand for quality higher education.
"This growth is not only a reflection of institutional expansion or meeting our deliverables in our strategic narratives but an intentional move towards contributing to our national human resource development agenda as set out in the national plan."
The chairperson of the council at NUST, Dr. Leake Hangala, expressed his gratitude to the families for their contributions toward the graduates.
"It begins with the families of each graduate, a place where norms of responsibilities are taught. Those family members and guardians, some of them gathered here, are fundamental leaders in our change of success, and without them, it could be very difficult for you graduates to be here today. Each of us has come to be what we are through the contribution of others, so today let me congratulate and appreciate the contribution that our parents and guardians made to us."