WINDHOEK  - Five fourth year students at both the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia (Unam) received bursaries from MTC worth a combined N$500 000.

The recipients are studying information technology (IT), electronic engineering and marketing. Speaking at the Polytechnic’s Hotel School, the Minister of Education, Dr. Abraham Iyambo, praised the efforts by MTC in contributing towards Vision 2030 and urged other stakeholders, both private and public, to follow suit.

“An amount of N$512 million was allocated (by Government) for student loans and scholarships in the 2012/2013 financial year.

Compared to the N$296.6 million of the previous year, we see that the amount has almost doubled,” said the Minister of Education.

“However, large numbers of deserving applicants could not be accommodated and had to be turned away. It agonises me not to be able to support the potential and talent of ambitious young Namibians,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, the Rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia (PoN) Dr Tjama Tjivikua hailed the impact such a sponsorship will have toward the country’s economic development.

“The Polytechnic believes that solid education provides a springboard in economic development. Once you have developed human capital together with technological capability, it leads to innovation capability, i.e. the ability to create and produce new products. It therefore becomes important that we equip students and graduates with the knowledge and skills that make them employable and versatile to operate in modern competitive markets both nationally and internationally,” said Tjivikua.

“It goes without saying that a nation’s higher education system ought to connect to, and be benchmarked against, higher education system elsewhere in order to produce the cadre of graduate who will drive our national economy in this competitive environment. To strengthen our international connections is a challenge we will continue to address,” said the PoN Rector.

MTC’s Chief Human capital & Corporate Affairs officer, Tim Ekandjo, encouraged the recipients to work hard to empower themselves.

“You are now encouraged to study hard and maintain an average of 70 percent. We selected you not only based on merit, but also the attitude that you showed us during the interviews. Now you can open doors by your performances and stand a chance to be employed by MTC if your performances are up to standard,” said Ekandjo.

The comprehensive financial assistance covers books, accommodation and transportation.