By: Valeria Handobe

The Education Conference (EduCon) 2024 started in Windhoek on Monday, focusing on bridging the gap between higher education and the job market. 

The bi-annual conference is a joint venture between the University of Namibia (Unam) and the education ministry. Educators, researchers, and policymakers come together to share knowledge and address challenges. Unam Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Frednard Gideon said higher education institutions must focus on hands-on skills to meet the needs of a fast-changing, technology-driven world.

“ The growing skills mismatch and shortage of the required skills and competencies have provided the impetus to transform higher education curriculum in order to meet the needs of the ever-changing and complex 21st century society. Transformation of higher education curriculum entails not only upscaling and risking  the current labor force more quickly, but also producing new graduates  with necessary competencies and skills required by the labor market and society in general,” stated Gideon.

Another Unam Pro-Vice-Chancellor in Research, Innovation and Development, Professor Cristina Stefan, emphasised the importance of research and innovation in preparing students for the workforce. 

“By embedding research and innovation in our educational systems, I believe that we produce citizens who are not only job ready,  who are not graduating just to graduate and have a diploma,  but we are preparing for citizens who are future ready. Citizens who can adapt to change, lead with integrity, and also contribute meaningfully to the global stage,” said Stefan.

The conference’s theme is Fostering Innovative Skills and Education in the 21st Century for a Sustainable Future.

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