Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called on the public to collaborate with the government in investing in the funding of education in order for Namibia to reach its economic potential and achieve sustainable growth.

Addressing attendees at the high-level tertiary education funding budget review dinner on Thursday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged the government’s limitations in the level of funding required by the education sector.

A brighter future awaits four offenders who are incarcerated at the Windhoek Correctional Facility after they competed and bagged two silver medals at a recent 3rd National Skills Competition (NSCO) at Ongwediva.

The performance and sportsmanship displayed by the offenders left a mark on the Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation, Dr. Raimo Naanda, who, in his personal capacity, sourced sponsorships to enable them to further their abilities once they are released.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, in collaboration with the German Government, has agreed to allocate over N$94 million for the 2024 Scholarship Programme for Namibian youth to study green hydrogen-related fields.

The Youth for Green Hydrogen programme offers scholarships to Namibian youth aged between 18 and 35 years in two categories related to the green hydrogen value chain:

The studies range from master's degree disciplines in applied science, renewable energy or sustainable energy systems, logistics, and supply chain management.

The Director of Research in the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation (MHETI), Dr. Lisho Mundia, has called on the private sector to invest in research to solve the country's problems.

Dr. Mundia made the remarks at a Marine Research Conference at Walvis Bay, where he stressed that without research, the country cannot develop.

Director of Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation (MHETI), Dr. Lisho Mundia, says that the Namibian government has long recognised the importance that biotechnology plays in national development, poverty alleviation, and as a catalyst for sustainable economic development.

The government thus, through the MHETI and technical assistance from the Namibian Biotechnology Alliance (NABA), developed the National Biotechnology Policy in 1999.

NUDO MP Joseph Kauandenge has criticised the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation over the accreditation of law degrees.

Kauandenge is questioning UNAM's monopoly on offering law programmes and the implications for students studying law at other institutions.

In response to the queries in the National Assembly, the Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, clarified the regulations and accreditation processes for tertiary institutions and their programmes.

Namibia needs to produce skills that meet the demands of the job market.

The Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi said this when she motivated the ministry's budget allocation of N$3.8 billion for 2023-2024 in the National Assembly.

Dr. Kandjii-Murangi, re-emphasized innovation, artificial intelligence as well as technical and vocational education and training as pillars that can drive the country's development.

She also highlighted hydrogen and decarbonizing as other requisites.

There has been slow movement in implementing the Namibian Space Science and Technology Policy due to obstacles such as a lack of coordination in space science and technology as well as funding.

These remarks were made by the Director of Research and Innovation in the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Lisho Mundia, at a workshop aimed at assessing progress made since the introduction of the policy in 2021.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with the German government, has constructed three new training workshops at the Gobabis Vocational Training Center at a cost of close to N$33 million.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the Gobabis Vocational Training Center, Dr Itah Kandjii Murangi stressed the importance of technical skills.

The minister says most developed countries have prioritized vocational training, and Namibia is heading towards achieving that goal.