Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) have dismissed claims that they are holding back the qualifications of graduates with outstanding tuition fees, despite a Cabinet directive that it should be released.
Last year, the Cabinet directed these universities to release degrees, diplomas, and transcripts of students who graduated in April 2024 to help them find jobs.
This was meant to ease unemployment among graduates. The directive stated that once graduates signed repayment agreements with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), the universities must release their qualifications.
NSFAF would then settle the debts.
However, a source from NSFAF, who asked not to be named, said the universities are refusing to release the documents until NSFAF pays them.
“They are demanding more money; they want NSFAF to pay first and then release qualifications. Especially NUST. They are saying they need money to pay salaries,” the source said.
NUST public relations officer Cindy van Wyk said the university submitted 610 students’ names to NSFAF for verification.
These students owe NUST N$10.5 million.
“In accordance with the directive, NUST submitted the names of 610 students to NSFAF for verification. The students in this category collectively owe the university a total of N$10.5 million. When this verification is finalised, the university will proceed with releasing the qualifications. This procedural step is essential to ensure institutional accountability and safeguard the integrity of the process,” she said.
She said NUST is working with NSFAF to speed up the verification process.
“The university values the importance of timely access to academic documents, particularly for graduates pursuing employment opportunities, while also maintaining the financial sustainability of the institution. We are cognisant that this is a complex matter involving multiple stakeholders. We further urge affected students to engage with the relevant parties for updates on their individual cases,” van Wyk said.
UNAM communication manager Simon Namesho said the university is following the Cabinet’s directive and has been working with NSFAF.
“It is important to clarify that qualifications are only withheld from those who have not yet completed the process of signing the agreement with NSFAF. This safeguard is in place to ensure that graduates fulfil their part of the agreement before receiving official documentation and to avoid situations where graduates receive their qualifications without signing the agreement with the Fund,” he said.
He said once the agreement is signed and verified, UNAM releases the qualification.
UNAM has submitted the names of 4 452 graduates with outstanding fees to NSFAF.
The debt amounts to N$74.4 million and covers the period from 2019 to April 2024.
