Don’t go look for jobs, golook for work – Matengu

University of Namibia (Unam) vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu has advised recent graduates not to look for jobs, but to look for work.

Matengu was speaking at the graduation ceremony of Unam’s northern campuses at Ongwediva on Friday.

More than 900 students graduated in the fields of education, health, agriculture and engineering.

“I wish to advise, don’t go look for jobs, but look for work. What is the difference? Jobs are things we do for payments,” Matengu said.

“The difference is, therefore, that when you go for work, you are more likely to be productive to have an impact than to look for a job for money, a salary. We know in our work situations there are salary collectors. Those are there for jobs, but those who are productive are doing work.”

Matengu said those who do work, even when they retire, they are still productive.

GRADUATION

Matengu said the ceremony was the 108th graduation conducted by the university since its inception

“As graduates, please know that you are the backbone of our education, our economies, our agriculture, our social protection apparatus and our health systems. You are the guardians on duty of our government systems.”

He added that graduates’ knowledge, skills and expertise are vital in ensuring the efficient functioning of businesses, healthcare facilities, financial institutions, schools and legal systems that underpin societies.

“As you step into the workforce, I urge you to harness your entrepreneurial spirit and visionary mindset to create new opportunities, challenge the status quo and pioneer innovative solutions to address the complex challenges facing our societies,” he urged.

According to him, although Namibia is a resource-rich country, it requires a well-educated and skilled workforce to create wealth for the people from these endowments.

“In the field of engineering, education, health and business administration, the future workforce demands leaders who are agile, adaptable and innovative. Entrepreneurial skills, creativity and the ability to drive organisational change have become indispensable in today’s competitive landscape,” Matengu added.

NUMBERS TRIPLING

Speaking at the same event, higher education, technology and innovation minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the number of students studying engineering at Unam has increased from 30 in 2009 to over 820 this year.

Kandjii-Murangi said female engineering students have increased from 22% in 2012 to 32% this year.

“International students constitute 10% of the engineering student population. A total of 552 engineers, including those with PhDs and master’s degrees, have graduated from the school since its establishment 15 years ago. These are remarkable achievements for a country with a small population such as Namibia,” Kandjii-Murangi said.

She added that Unam nursing graduates are employed in countries like Canada, Germany and Australia, while teachers are employed in countries like China and New Zealand.

“As you enter the global competitive world of work, dear graduates, show appreciation at all times to those who have supported you to become what you are today or will become,” she said.