NUST holds drive through graduation
• BY STAFF REPORTER
NAMIBIA University of Science and Technology (NUST) again pushed back the boundaries of what is thought possible as the institution found an innovative way of allowing graduates to participate in its spring 2021 graduation ceremony.
This involved the organisation and hosting of the first-ever drive-through graduation in Namibia.
The institution introduced this creative way to include students in the graduation ceremony, because it could not host its traditional graduation event due to national Covid-19 guidelines.
The official proceedings of the 2021 Spring Graduation were pre-recorded and live streamed via the Institution’s facebook page and YouTube Channel.
Following the conferment of qualifications, grandaunts participated in the drive-through component, which saw them able to exit their vehicles, walk down the red carpet, obtain their Graduation Scrolls and have an official graduation photograph taken.
The rationale for the inclusion of the drive-through component in the 2021 Spring Graduation Ceremony is centered on the motivation to involve those graduating in what is undoubtedly a special and momentous occasion.
This ceremony was therefore the perfect opportunity for celebration and an expression of joy, for the graduating class and the university community at large, in the face of uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delivering the keynote address at the event was First Lady, Monica Geingos, who encouraged students who did not graduate this time around due to unforeseen circumstances to not give up.
“Please come back and finish your course.
Perseverance is defined as persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success,” she said.
Geingos further implored graduates to remain optimistic, especially in a Covid-19 stricken economic era where employment has become scarce.
Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi shared the same sentiments since youth employment is a key indicator of a country’s development.
“It also determines how fast and sustainably an economy grows. It is for this reason that the Government of Namibia prioritises investments in the education sector as it is the driving force behind a country’s success and has a direct impact on employment,” Dr Kandjii-Murangi reiterated.