WINDHOEK: Education curriculum development must align with current and future industry needs as employers increasingly prefer graduates who are ready – skilled , University of Namibia ( UNAM ) Professor Frednard Gideon has said . Speaking on behalf of UNAM Vice Chancellor , Professor Kenneth Matengu at the bi – annual education conference in Windhoek on Tuesday , Gideon said many jobs require higher levels of skill than in previous years , which higher education institutions are not providing . The three – day conference is being held by UNAM in collaboration with the Ministry of Education , Arts and Culture under the theme ‘ Higher education curriculum transformation in the context of skilled – based education .’ Gideon emphasised that the growing skills mismatch and shortages of the required skills and competencies have provided the impetus to transform the higher education curriculum in order to meet the needs of the ever changing , complex 21st century society . ‘ Higher education institutions should inte
nsify their contacts with the world of work through processes such as stakeholder consultations to identify the current skills and competences demanded by industries ,’ he noted . Gideon further indicated that traditional degree programmes often take too long to complete as by the time a student graduates , the acquired skills or competencies are no longer needed in the workplace . He said higher education curriculum transformation therefore needs to embrace a paradigm shift towards embracing micro – credentials , in addition to offering traditional degree programmes . At the same event , UNAM Vice Chancellor for Research , Innovation and Development , Professor Cristina Stefan said Namibia must produce citizens who are not only educated , but equipped with the skills , creativity and adaptability founded by research and innovation . She noted that research is the cornerstone of knowledge creation , therefore it is imperative for Namibia and Africa at large to invest in robust research ecosystems . ‘ To prepa
re citizens who are fit for the 21st century , our educational institutions must foster a culture of inquiry from an early age . This begins in our schools and extends to our universities , technical institutions and research centres ,’ she noted

Source:The Namibia News Agency