NQA Chief Executive Officer, Franz Gertze recently joined the high level delegation that accompanied President Hage Geingob during his three-day official visit to the Republic of Cuba.

During the visit, bilateral discussions were held between the two nations regarding matters of mutual interest ranging from economics to education.

Namibia and Cuba have a long-standing relationship dating back to the liberation struggle for independence. During the visit, President Geingob reiterated Namibia’s deep-rooted history with Cuba noting that the relationship between the two countries ought to be leveraged in order to assist with Namibia’s second struggle, that of economic emancipation.

One area of cooperation in this regard is that of education, which is largely seen as one of the ways to alleviate poverty. Many Namibians attained qualifications in Cuba during and after independence, where they pursued qualifications in different fields especially in medicine and engineering.

As quality qualifications remain a vital precondition for economic emancipation, the NQA is proud to contribute towards achieving this national objective by evaluating qualifications attained in Cuba, which will enable Namibians to secure employment and thus create a brighter future for themselves, while contributing to the socio economic development of the country.

As one of countries in the world with a sound education system, Cuba thus remains a key ally in the fight for economic emancipation through education. The relationship between Namibia and Cuba is currently governed by a bilateral agreement which covers areas of cooperation including amongst others economics, health and education. As part of this agreement, there are currently over 23 students studying in Cuba at institutions of higher learning

The NQA has also forged strong bilateral relationships with its counterparts in Cuba which has been strengthened over the years. It is through this solid relationship and the favourable cooperation climate that the NQA has been able to efficiently evaluate qualifications attained in Cuba for over two decades and continues to do so.  These qualifications range from fields such as Engineering, Medicine and Education.

The table below illustrated a few examples of Cuban qualifications evaluated by the NQA over the last five years.

A SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS ATTAINED IN CUBA AND EVALUATED BY THE NQA

In its capacity as the forum for matters pertaining to qualifications, the NQA will continue adding value to the country’s capacity building initiatives by evaluating and recognising foreign qualifications including those from Cuba, provided that the awarding institution is accredited in that country. In order to realise that goal, the NQA is fully committed to developing mutually beneficial relationships with quality assurance bodies around the world and thus achieve its promise to ensure that Namibians have equitable access to quality assured qualifications.

About the Namibia Qualifications Authority:

The NQA was established by NQA Act 29 of 1996 and has as its mandate to exercise and perform the statutory powers, duties and functions which include but are not limited to set up and administer a National Qualifications Framework, accredit persons, institutions and organizations providing education and courses of instruction or training and advise any person, body, institution, organization or interest group on matters pertaining to qualifications and national standards for qualifications.

Issued by:

Mr Franz Gertze

Chief Executive Officer

Namibia Qualifications Authority

Enquiries:

Ms Catherine Shipushu

Manager: Marketing and Communication

Tel: +264 61 384 107

Cell: +264 811279069

Email: catherine.shipushu@namqa.org