Patience Makwele
More than 120 Namibian professionals who received training in India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme gathered in Windhoek to reflect on how skills gained abroad have continued to shape their careers.
Among them was Martha Nghipandulwa, who underwent digital forensics training in India in 2017, a field she shared that has become increasingly relevant as criminal activity moves from the physical world into digital spaces.
“Crimes are not happening in the physical world anymore. More crimes are committed through digital and electronics (platforms),” Nghipandulwa said.
She said the training gave her practical skills that remain useful in her work, including the ability to retrieve information from damaged laptops and mobile phones.
Nghipandulwa said the value of the training went beyond the period she spent in India, as the skills acquired have continued to form part of her professional journey in law enforcement.
The experience reflects the growing importance of specialised digital skills as Namibia expands its use of technology while facing emerging challenges linked to cybercrime and digital evidence.
Namibia’s National Digital Strategy for 2025 to 2028 identifies digital skills, data protection and security as key components of the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The ministry of information and communication technology (MICT) has also identified cybersecurity skills and infrastructure as priorities in its 2025–2030 strategic plan.
Another ITEC beneficiary, Andreas Heskiel, who completed training in cloud computing, said the programme exposed him to different software and practical approaches that he has since started applying in his work.
The training comes as cloud computing and other digital technologies become increasingly important to organisations dealing with large volumes of information and digital services.
The ITEC programme, which was established by the Indian government in 1964, provides fully funded training opportunities to professionals from developing countries in areas ranging from information technology and cybersecurity to management and other specialised fields.
According to the High Commission of India, more than 1 700 Namibian professionals have benefited from training in India over the years, including officials from civilian institutions and the defence sector.
Indian High Commissioner to Namibia Rahul Shrivastava said Namibia has been a partner in the ITEC programme since gaining independence, with about 1 700 Namibian experts and officials forming part of the alumni network.
“Ever since Namibia gained independence, it has been a partner in the ITEC programme, and we have established an alumni network comprising about 1 700 experts and officials,” Shrivastava said.
He said the network includes defence personnel and officials from various ministries, adding that ITEC Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the programme and its beneficiaries.
“It commemorates the gathering of alumni, demonstrating that the partnership between India and Namibia is thriving and highlighting how it has contributed to institutional development in Namibia,” he said.
India currently offers more than 10 000 fully funded training opportunities annually, with nearly 9 000 professionals attending ITEC courses during the 2025–26 period.
The High Commission of India said more than 1 700 Namibian professionals have benefited from ITEC training in India over the years, building expertise across civilian and defence institutions.
The Windhoek event also featured presentations by former beneficiaries, who shared their experiences with Indian institutions and counterparts, as well as their exposure to Indian culture and traditions.
The gathering provided an opportunity for former participants to strengthen the alumni network while reflecting on how the training has been applied in their respective professional fields.
Nghipandulwa emphasized that the value of specialised training such as digital forensics lies in its continued application as technology and the nature of crime evolve.
She said the skills acquired in 2017 remain part of the tools she can draw on when dealing with digital evidence and recovering information from damaged electronic devices.
“Crimes are not happening in a physical world anymore. More crimes are committed through digital and electronics,” Nghipandulwa said.
