Kharas Governor Highlights Role of Academic Dialogue in Economic DevelopmentGovernment Invests in TVET for Industrialization Push

KHARAS – Aletha Frederick, Governor of Kharas, emphasized the significance of academic dialogue in shaping sustainable economic development strategies during the University of Namibia’s faculty of commerce, management, and law research symposium. The event, held under the theme ‘Economic recovery and resilience’, focused on leveraging academic research to inform policymaking. According to Frederick, research provides a crucial foundation for understanding economic recovery and resilience, offering empirical evidence and theoretical insights for effective strategy formulation. She underscored the role of research in addressing challenges in economies aiming for recovery and sustainability, particularly in areas like inclusive growth and economic resilience.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Frederick also pointed out the importance of collaboration among government bodies, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in fostering economic recovery and resilience. Highlighting the impact of recent challenges such as prolonged droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a 7.9 percent decline in Namibia’s GDP in 2020, she stressed the need for immediate action to regain lost ground and advance towards thriving, inclusive communities. The symposium served as a platform for exchanging ideas and solutions, with various speakers, including UNAM executive dean for commerce, Jacob Nyambe, who advocated for cost-effective, problem-solving academic programs. Nyambe’s remarks reinforced the university’s commitment to addressing societal issues through academic research and dialogue.

Nairobi: In Nairobi, the Kenyan government has announced a significant investment in Technical, Vocational Education, and Training (TVET) institutions, marking a strategic move to bolster industrialization and economic growth. This initiative, led by the Kenya Kwanza Government, places TVET at the forefront of the country’s industrial revolution, focusing on nurturing skilled labor crucial for this transformation.

According to Kenya News Agency, speaking during the Curriculum Development, Assessment Certification Council (CDACC) CEO handing over ceremony, the TVET sector is instrumental in realizing the government’s industrialization agenda. She emphasized the pivotal role of CDACC in both the TVET sector and the broader industrialization efforts. The event also marked a significant leadership transition, with Prof. Kisilu Kitainge taking over as CEO from Joseph Njau.

Dr. Thaara stressed the importance of building the capacity of TVET CDACC to meet its substantial future mandates. She underscored the necessity of focusing on youth, highlighting the sector’s role in producing industrially skilled youth. Dr. Thaara urged Prof. Kitainge to ensure robust assessment and monitoring systems and encouraged benchmarking against other bodies within their mandate.

The Principal Secretary acknowledged the outgoing CEO Mr. Joseph Njau’s contributions, citing significant achievements under his leadership, including partnerships and innovative initiatives that transformed technical education in Kenya. She praised the incoming CEO, Prof. Kitainge, for his extensive experience and contributions to policy development and implementation in technical and vocational education.

Dr. Thaara expressed confidence in Prof. Kitainge’s ability to lead the TVET sector to new heights and called for the Council members’ cooperation and support during this transition. She assured the TVET CDACC team of the State Department’s support, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and international organizations.

The Principal Secretary concluded by extending gratitude to Mr. Njau for his leadership and congratulating Prof. Kitainge on his new role, expressing hope for his success in steering TVET CDACC towards contributing significantly to Kenya’s socio-economic development.