Aligning Higher Education with National Development Needs by Prof. Harmony Musiyarira скачать в хорошем качестве

Aligning Higher Education with National Development Needs by Prof. Harmony Musiyarira

Aligning Higher Education with National Development Needs by Prof. Harmony Musiyarira Prof. Harmony Musiyarira, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), presented at the Tertiary Education Sector Strategic Engagement Gathering held from 26–28 July 2023 in Windhoek. The engagement, inaugurated by Higher Education Minister Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, focused on addressing multifaceted challenges in Namibia's higher education landscape to improve its role, relevance, and impact on national development. Core Challenges Identified The sector strategic engagement addressed several pressing issues hindering the alignment of higher education with Namibia's national needs: • Youth and Graduate Unemployment: There is a critical need to address unemployment by thinking "out of the box," such as through pilot programs and business incubation for student groups. • Alignment with National Development Goals: A key focus is aligning tertiary education with the National Development Plan Six (NDP6) and ensuring it supports Namibia's science, technology, and innovation needs. • The "Experience Gap": Many young graduates face a gap between their academic training and the practical requirements of the job market. • Infrastructure Gaps: Education experts have been assessing tertiary infrastructure countrywide to identify and address facilities that do not meet the standards required for optimal student performance. • Centralisation: Namibia's higher education sector remains highly centralised, leading to calls for new models that allow the sector to contribute more effectively to society. Strategic Alignment and Solutions Prof. Musiyarira and other stakeholders emphasised several strategies to better align higher education with national needs: • Industry-Academia Collaboration: Prof. Musiyarira highlighted that partnerships with industry are essential, as they provide the real-world context and practical challenges that give academic research its relevance. • Prioritising Vital Fields: Funding and institutional support should be focused on sectors vital to national development, including engineering, agriculture, renewable energy, and digital skills. • Green Economy Integration: NUST is actively aligning with Namibia's emerging green economy, including establishing a campus in Lüderitz focused on renewable energy and green hydrogen. This includes research on decarbonising the mineral industry. • Work-Integrated Learning: To bridge the experience gap, there is an increased emphasis on work-integrated learning as part of a coordinated national strategy. • Transition to Free Tertiary Education: The government is moving toward implementing 100% subsidised tertiary education at public institutions, supported by a national task force to develop necessary financial and policy frameworks. Role of NUST and Faculty of Engineering Under Prof. Musiyarira's leadership, the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) focuses on: • Practical Skills: Ensuring students are equipped with practical skills alongside theoretical concepts, particularly in fields like property studies and engineering. • Curriculum Development: Leading the development of Chemical, Mining, and Metallurgy curricula to meet modern industry standards. • Research Output: Enhancing the research output of the faculty to contribute to the accreditation of engineering programs and national innovation goals.