Namibia looking towards space
Namibia has the potential of becoming a role player that would contribute towards space exploration and astronomy in the future.
This was said by Dr Alfred Van Kent, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation at the commemoration of Namibia Space Week recently.
Van Kent said that measures were put into place by the government to insure that Namibia would leave a mark in space science and astronomy and is hopeful that the country would also innovate technologies that would see it contribute toward the philosophy of space. “We have the space programmes such as the Namibia Commission for Research, Science and Technology and that is a reality. We also developed a National Council for Science and Technology and we have the Namibia Institute of Space science and technology that will be training individuals in that field,” shares Van Kent.
In an effort to make sure Namibia is up to speed with the space science and research developments Van Kent says the government handed over satellite performance computers to the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) and the University of Namibia (Unam). He says that universities need to collaborate in order to excel in space and astronomy industry.
“With a dedicated team Namibia will have a very structured space programme that is relevant to the needs of our country and we would be a force to be reckoned with in the future,” he says.
Paulus Imene, a graduate of the Bachelor of Technology in Electronic engineering at Nust says he is excited about the new development that will be taking place in the area of space and science and says Namibians should be proud about what they could offer in space technology in the future.
“I can tell that there is going to progress in space especially from Namibia's side.
“We are going to be collaborating with other universities from South Africa and through such collaborations we will widen our knowledge and expertise in the space and astronomy fields,” says Imene.
He says the introduction of new programmes in the areas of space and astronomy at Nust shows that the country is committed towards setting and achieving its own space and astronomic aspirations.
“The introduction of space programmes at Nust shows you that we are really determined to explore space one day. In the near future Namibia can produce its own astronomers and space research experts,” he says.
Namibia celebrated Word Space Week recently at the Windhoek Show Grounds. World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology and takes place from 04-10 October.
Shona Ngava
This was said by Dr Alfred Van Kent, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation at the commemoration of Namibia Space Week recently.
Van Kent said that measures were put into place by the government to insure that Namibia would leave a mark in space science and astronomy and is hopeful that the country would also innovate technologies that would see it contribute toward the philosophy of space. “We have the space programmes such as the Namibia Commission for Research, Science and Technology and that is a reality. We also developed a National Council for Science and Technology and we have the Namibia Institute of Space science and technology that will be training individuals in that field,” shares Van Kent.
In an effort to make sure Namibia is up to speed with the space science and research developments Van Kent says the government handed over satellite performance computers to the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) and the University of Namibia (Unam). He says that universities need to collaborate in order to excel in space and astronomy industry.
“With a dedicated team Namibia will have a very structured space programme that is relevant to the needs of our country and we would be a force to be reckoned with in the future,” he says.
Paulus Imene, a graduate of the Bachelor of Technology in Electronic engineering at Nust says he is excited about the new development that will be taking place in the area of space and science and says Namibians should be proud about what they could offer in space technology in the future.
“I can tell that there is going to progress in space especially from Namibia's side.
“We are going to be collaborating with other universities from South Africa and through such collaborations we will widen our knowledge and expertise in the space and astronomy fields,” says Imene.
He says the introduction of new programmes in the areas of space and astronomy at Nust shows that the country is committed towards setting and achieving its own space and astronomic aspirations.
“The introduction of space programmes at Nust shows you that we are really determined to explore space one day. In the near future Namibia can produce its own astronomers and space research experts,” he says.
Namibia celebrated Word Space Week recently at the Windhoek Show Grounds. World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology and takes place from 04-10 October.
Shona Ngava
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