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In line with its mandate to ensure that Namibia develops skills necessary to meet the needs of investors, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has developed an information sharing platform to address the critical challenge of limited access to information on bursaries, scholarships, and other funding options and opportunities offered in the country.
By providing a centralised platform and implementing targeted outreach strategies, the NIPDB is committed to contributing towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education landscape. The information sharing platform was developed through a collaboration between the NIPDB and stakeholders including the private sector, state owned enterprises, regulators and development partners.
Speaking at the launch, NIPDB Acting Chief Operations Officer Johan Steenkamp emphasised the need to share study opportunities to help reduce the unemployment gap. “Recent statistics reveal a substantial increase in applications for funding, with over 30,000 applications received in 2023 alone. We also know that over the period of 2021 – 2023, over 25,000 potential applicants for study funding have been turned down. The NIPDB is thus committed to bridging this gap and we believe that this platform will serve as a centralised hub where young people can easily access current and credible information about educational funding opportunities, initially local opportunities and at later stage, international opportunities.”
Namibian youth seeking opportunities to access education and skills development opportunities will now be able to access this information in real time by a touch of a button. It is acknowledged that not all young people have access to digital channels. Therefore, to ensure equal access to information, the portal will also be shared through partnerships to be established with regional education offices, NAMCOL centres, and vocational training centres to disseminate information and provide support to those who may not have access to the internet.
Speaking at the launch, Debmarine’s Human Resource and Development Manager Leandri Petrus further touched on the importance of access to educational opportunities in the country, “access to educational opportunities is a powerful equaliser. Education levels the playing field by providing people from all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status, a chance to succeed. When access is limited, societal gaps widen. But when educational opportunities are made available to all, we foster hope and create pathways for everyone to succeed, thereby improving social mobility and reducing inequality”, she said.
The NIPDB invites educational institutions, government institutions and private sector organisations to empower the youth by sharing their study and internship opportunities on this platform. Updates on available opportunities will also be shared on the NIPDB website and social media platforms.
Julia Muetudhana, Executive Director for Talent, Innovation and Productivity highlighted the need for public and private sector entities to supply various study opportunities to the NIPDB in order for the platform to serve its function. “We urge companies to submit information about the various opportunities for students to be shared on the platform and also for companies to encourage fellow employees to share this type of opportunities with the NIPDB. Please take our hand and walk this journey with us because this is not about NIPDB. We are merely the custodian, but this becomes our platform that we can all be proud of. ”
The platform is accessible at https://studyopportunities.nipdb.com
Issued by:
Catherine Shipushu Senior Manager:
Marketing, Branding and Communications
Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
Telephone: +264 83 333 8636
Mobile: +264 81 127 9069
Email: catherine.shipushu@nipdb.com
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