Standard Bank awards bursaries

Standard Bank recently awarded bursaries to four students studying cybersecurity, forensic science and actuarial science, as part of its annual bursary programme.

The bank awarded bursaries to Namalwa Amakali, a second-year bachelor’s in forensic science student at the University of Free State, Muningandu Tjingaete and Petros Kambinda, second- and third-year cybersecurity students, respectively, at Nust, and Lara Bartholomae, a first-year actuarial science student at Stellenbosch University.

Standard Bank head of human relations (HR), Isdor Angula, said the bursary recipients are almost guaranteed employment at the Blue Bank, which employs close to 2 000 people in Namibia. The recipients were carefully selected out of over 1 000 students that had applied for financial assistance.

“The bursary conditions are clear that you will forfeit the bursary if you fail, so please make use of the great opportunity,” Angula said.

The bursary recipients are expected to undergo internship training during holidays at different Standard Bank branches and departments across the country, where they will also be paid an allowance.

As part of the bursary scheme agreement, Standard Bank will pay for all tuition and living expenses, including a monthly allowance, accommodation costs and an additional four flights per year for students studying outside the country.

Amakali said she wants to specialise in forensic pathology after completing of her bachelor’s degree.

“Forensic science is a field that is overlooked in the country and in most cases when forensic scientists are needed they are brought in from other countries. I want to motivate other students to take up the same studies, so that Namibia can stop relying on expatriates,” Amakali said.

Tjingaete said her financial challenges at home forced her to seek assistance from Standard Bank.

“My mother is the father-figure in our family. I never had support from my dad, who unfortunately passed on two years ago. We are a lot for my mom (to take care of), so it’s quite hard for her to support us,” she said.

Kambinda said a university education has become so expensive that many people who come from poor financial backgrounds, like him, have limited opportunities to further their studies.

“I come from a background where even if all my family members were to put all their hands on deck, they would still not be able to pay for my studies. My mother is unemployed and my dad is a stock controller in a furniture shop. I would like to thank Standard Bank because this bursary means that I will be able to do my internship here at the bank,” Kambinda said.

Standard Bank head of marketing, communications and corporate social investment, Magreth Mengo, said the bursary programme is a very important project, geared towards training the country’s future leaders who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to realise their potential.

“Our bursary programme is designed in a way that it gives academically gifted students from all backgrounds the opportunity to study at any regional university of their choice, so that they can help contribute to the growth of our country and economy.

“We at Standard Bank are happy to play our part in making dreams come true for these gifted recipients, who all have a vision for a better Namibia.

“It is my hope that this year’s recipients will take full advantage of this great opportunity granted to them by the bank and excel in their various fields. I wish them the best of luck,” Mengo said.