Empowering Namibia's Future

Debmarine Namibia's 2024 Bursary Awards Spark Brilliance in Education and Beyond

Bursaries are an important component of widening participation in higher education. Debmarine Namibia, through its commitment to education, capacity and skills development, is empowering Namibia’s future leaders. The recipients of the Debmarine Namibia bursaries for the 2024 academic year were recently announced, once again underlining the company’s commitment to fostering education, driving socio-economic development and making life brilliant for all.

A total of 26 deserving students were awarded academic bursaries to pursue fields of knowledge vital to the marine diamond recovery industry, such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Nautical Science. The recipients will embark on their educational journeys at respected institutions of higher learning in Namibia and South Africa.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Debmarine Namibia’s Human Resource Development and Organisational Development Manager, Elke Hanstein, highlighted the company’s annual investment of approximately N$127 million in learning and development, emphasising its dedication to developing skilled workers for the company and Namibia as a whole.

Debmarine Namibia’s Chief Executive Officer, Willy Mertens, pointed to the significance of investing in education to cultivate a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and excellence in marine diamond recovery.

Debmarine Namibia firmly believes that education is a key driver of socio-economic development and remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that ensure access to education for all. Debmarine Namibia’s bursary scheme aims to attract exceptional talents to the company. Each bursary covers fulltime university studies, including registration and tuition fees, travel, meal and accommodation costs, study materials and relevant additional expenses.

A true testament to the company’s dedication to education as a whole, Debmarine Namibia also extends its support to science scholars as well as teachers. The Diamond Award for Science scholarship – one for scholars and one for teachers – is a full scholarship for tertiary education in the science field at an institution of the recipient’s choice in Namibia or South Africa.

Debmarine Namibia’s commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the development and upliftment of future leaders in Namibia does not stop with academic bursaries. The company also supports vocational students with bursaries to complete their trades after successfully passing job attachments at the company.

Among the current Debmarine Namibia scholarship students are Elizabeth Amunyela, Hannes Itope, Ester Abraham, Amber Alania Coetzee, Jackobina Shikalepo, Hope-Elizabeth Nelongo, Melania Kalimbo, Senanses Au Khui Hansen, Saima Kertu Ndengu, Tseline Kalimbo, Russell Dirkie Uiseb, Junias Imalwa, Rodney Amufufu, Petrus Joseph, Elizabeth Imbamba, Rebeca Angula, Paulus Namweya, Silas Kalumbu, Nafimane Erastus, Frieda Fillemon, Helena Shikongo and Charlton Coetzee.

In recognition of his academic excellence, Ainley Amunyela, a Bachelor student of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Namibia, has been honoured with the 2024 Diamond Award for Science for Scholars.

Toini Velishavo and Lucia Hilarius, both studying for a Bachelor of Education at the University of Namibia, have each been awarded the Diamond Award for Science for Teachers.