Universities shape a nation, not just jobs

Namibian universities are pulling out all the stops to ensure graduates are job ready, but caution that tertiary studies should be viewed not only as preparing students for the world of work but ensuring the nation is educated.

“Profiting from knowledge is not a cornerstone of academia,” University of Namibia (Unam) spokesperson Johannes Haufiku explained when answering questions related to the high rate of unemployed graduates in Namibia.

Speaking on behalf of Unam, Haufiku said the goal of universities has traditionally been “focused on qualifications that create an individual with a deep understanding of that subject, so as to make a meaningful contribution to that subject and, in turn, society”.

He said it is the role of business to ensure that a country profits from the knowledge acquired by individuals in schools.

“They are the ones who need educated people to help them with new knowledge and thus new business.”

Pointing to the various fields of study offered including sociology, engineering, arts, medicine, law and many others, Haufiku explained that each field is unique and has something essential to offer the individual and society.

“How individuals or businesses profit from such knowledge has not been a goal of universities. Pursuing a degree for the sole purpose of finding a job is in fact a narrow view of the aims of higher education. Such a principle implies that we should education solely based on demand. This demand can change at any time, due to volatile economic forces. Then it is too late to grow other areas of knowledge.”

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) agreed that a degree’s value lies beyond just obtaining a job.

“Obtaining a degree goes beyond increasing your earning potential. For any nation to thrive, an educated workforce, not only in specialised fields such as engineering, but in all fields, is of the essence. Education goes beyond understanding what is written in textbooks, it stimulates one’s thought process in daily life experiences,” Nust vice-chancellor Tjama Tjivikua told Namibian Sun.

Tjivikua underlined that while the issue of the rising number of unemployed graduates has led to some questioning the value of degrees, tertiary education should not be estimated.

“The world is becoming highly competitive, and to get ahead one needs to be qualified. In the past, experience only may have been sufficient to gain employment, but this has changed drastically.”

He stressed that universities alone cannot improve job availability and tackle the potential unrest simmering beneath the surface.

“As seen around the world, a frustrated nation, especially the youth, can end up turning to unconventional attempts to resolve problems. To avoid such situations, all stakeholders need to continuously work together to improve the status quo, whilst at the same time engaging the affected youth.”

He said the “unemployment battle cannot be won single-handedly”, and all hands are needed.

Tjivikua underlined that “graduates must knock on doors to get jobs, but at the same time seek innovative ways to become entrepreneurs. Companies must be open to offering on-the-job training opportunities and provide meaningful mentorship and sponsorships to graduates. He said government must avail sufficient resources for universities to thrive, and in turn, universities must ensure that the programmes they offer are in line with industry needs.

Do your part

Haufiku pointed out that employers look for many attributes in an employee, in addition to skills and knowledge.

He said the best way forward for students to be more employable is to ensure they make use of their free time to work on a part-time basis in the area of their choice or practice activities in line with their passions.

He also emphasised that anecdotal evidence suggests that some students end up working in fields they did not study in, due to a lack of job opportunities, but also because of mislaid and unrealised personal interests.

He said often parents, peers or societal expectations push freshmen into a study direction that does not really allow them to explore their personal passions.

Unam has addressed this by providing appropriate counselling to first-year students, and by allowing them to change courses at the beginning of the year, if they wish.

Tjivikua said a Nust graduate survey of students who completed their studies in 2012 and 2013 revealed that 87% of graduates at the time of the survey, between October 2016 and March 2017, were employed.

JANA-MARI SMITH