Namibia has awarded 93 scholarships for Namibians to learn, up skill and conduct research in areas of Green Hydrogen, through the Namibian Youth for Green Hydrogen (Y4GH) Scholarship programme.
Of the scholarships awarded, 60 are for master’s studies and 30 for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
The programme, aimed at advancing the country’s green hydrogen agenda, is designed to ensure an availability of trained Namibians “who are fit for purpose,” by early 2024. It is funded through a reserved amount of N$87.7 million.
“The successful beneficiaries were selected on merit and in a fair manner, through rigorous selection process involving committee members from Namibia Training Authority, Namibia Commission on Research, Science and Technology, University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology and Vocational Training Centres, alongside relevant industry players,” Kevin Stephanus from the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) said.
He said the scholarships were awarded on a conditional basis due to funding limitations.
“From the 164 recommended applicants, only 90 scholarships were granted. Not all applicants could be awarded as part of this cohort, and they too will receive notifications, encouraging them to apply during the next application window,” he said.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) appointed SASSCAL as the Implementing Agency of the 2021 Berlin Joint Communique of Intent (JCoI). In 2021, Germany and Namibia signed the JCoI, where the BMBF made grant funding of N$788 million (€40 million) available through the National Planning Commission of Namibia.
Approximately N$87.7 million was allocated for scholarships for Namibian youth in Germany or programmes in collaboration with German institutions.
The agreement is part of efforts to deepen Green Hydrogen cooperation and capacity building between Namibia and Germany.
The beneficiaries will be hosted by President Hage Geingob for an official handover of the first cohort at the State House on Wednesday.
The initiative is expected to equip Namibian youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of green hydrogen and renewable energy in Namibia, and ultimately benefit the economy.
