Patience Makwele
Welwitschia University Chancellor Scholastika Iipinge has called on the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, saying partial funding continues to leave families carrying a financial burden despite government promises of equal treatment.
Addressing the university’s ninth graduation ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday, Iipinge said while Welwitschia appreciated government support through NSFAF, students enrolled at the institution continue to receive only partial sponsorships, forcing parents and guardians to cover the outstanding tuition fees and living expenses.
“So far, all students sponsored by NSFAF are partially funded and the parents always top up to cover the total tuition fees and living expenses,” she said.
“As much as we appreciate this support on behalf of the students, I wish to call upon NSFAF to cover tuition fees 100% as promised so that this will be done for all students at public and private institutions of higher learning in Namibia. A Namibian child deserves equal treatment by all sectors.”
Her remarks come as the government continues to expand financial support for tertiary education while private institutions argue that students pursuing accredited qualifications should receive the same level of assistance as those studying at public universities.
Iipinge also appealed to the private sector to invest in students before they enter the labour market rather than recruiting graduates after completing their studies.
“I would like to call upon the captains of industry to come to the party by sponsoring some students and not only look for them after they graduate,” she said.
The university graduated more than 1 000 students over two days, including graduates from the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law, Commerce and Education, with nursing students making up the largest cohort.
Deputy minister of health and social services Suzan Ndjaleka used the occasion to challenge graduates to translate their academic knowledge into practical solutions that address Namibia’s development needs.
She warned that qualifications alone were insufficient without competence and professional excellence.
Ndjaleka revealed that 2 683 nursing graduates across Namibia have failed the national licensing examination, describing the figure as a reminder that academic training must ultimately produce professionals capable of meeting national standards.
She encouraged Welwitschia’s nursing graduates to ensure they did not become part of those statistics.
“Today Welwitchia proudly graduates nursing students and I charge each of you to ensure you do not become part of the failing statistics but instead demonstrate the excellence this institution trains for by passing the national exam,” she said.
Welwitschia Vice Chancellor Marius Hedimbi defended the quality of the institution’s programmes, telling graduates that the university had recently appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Education to confirm that its health programmes are fully accredited by the National Council for Higher Education, the Namibia Qualifications Authority and the Health Professions Council of Namibia.
He said the university’s qualifications meet recognised national standards and are designed to prepare graduates for professional practice.
The graduation ceremony also marked the university’s continued expansion since opening its doors in 2013 with just 78 students.
This year’s graduating class included postgraduate qualifications in Higher Education, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety, and Community Health Nursing.
Speaking under the theme “From Knowledge to Impact: Shaping the Future,” university leaders urged graduates to use their qualifications to strengthen public service, improve healthcare and contribute to Namibia’s economic and social development.
