City partners with Welwitchia University, NAC to drive innovation
In a move aimed at shaping the future of education and urban development in Namibia, the City of Windhoek (CoW) formalised a strategic partnership with Welwitchia University and the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) through newly signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs).The collaborations seek to enhance education, foster innovation and address key societal challenges.
The partnership between the three institutions was praised as a step toward bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application.
The agreement focuses on offering students real-world experiences while supporting the broader socio-economic development of Windhoek and Namibia.
The partners share a vision of creating an education system that is grounded in theory and equips students with practical, problem-solving skills.
"At Welwitchia University, we are committed to preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow," said acting vice-chancellor Professor Marius Hedimbi during the signing ceremony. "Our students must be ready to step into the workforce with the competencies needed to tackle the complex issues facing our communities."
City officials echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of aligning academic programmes with the evolving needs of the local workforce and broader national development. The partnership aims to provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in practical settings, directly contributing to the growth and transformation of Windhoek.
The agreements pave the way for internship opportunities, curriculum alignment, joint research and training.
Meaningful outcomes
Windhoek mayor Queen Kamati said the NAC's involvement is expected to enrich the partnership, introducing students to new fields and providing them with practical experience in one of Namibia’s key industries.
Kamati said the City received N$2.2 million in funding from the European Union for projects related to waste management and has urged all signatories to consider that as a focus point for their partnerships.
"We look forward to working closely with our partners to transform these agreements into meaningful actions that will have a lasting impact in communities,” she said.
She urged participants to allow the agreements to serve as a guide to transform areas of cooperation into actionable activities. “These activities must be regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure their effectiveness," she added.
"I encourage more frequent commitment and collaboration between our teams with a focus on developing tangible, measurable results, data, contributions and statistics to the success of our shared goals."