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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Qualifications Authority

Also known as: NQA

Namibia's qualifications regulatory authority that accredits programmes, verifies credentials, and coordinates with education institutions and employers on training standards.

2024-06-102026-10-22

News reports

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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. October 2026
  2. Namibian Sun

    Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) was consulted by NUST on validation and authentication of potential receiving institutions.

    Source

    “NUST states that they have consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) on the validation and authentication of potential receiving institutions.”

    UPDATE: NUST Medical Laboratory Sciences programme update
  3. The Namibian

    Namibia Qualifications Authority was consulted by Nust on validation and authentication of potential receiving institutions

    Source

    “The university said it had consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority on the validation and authentication of potential receiving institutions.”

    Nust explores alternatives for lab science students
  4. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Qualifications Authority was consulted by NUST to validate and authenticate potential receiving institutions

    Source

    “NUST said it has consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) to validate and authenticate potential receiving institutions, while also engaging independent laboratories to secure additional WIL placements.”

    NUST must fix this before it becomes a scandal
  5. Windhoek Observer

    NQA has been consulted to validate and authenticate potential receiving institutions

    Source

    “NUST said it has consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) to validate and authenticate potential receiving institutions, while also engaging independent laboratories to secure additional WIL placements.”

    NUST to address medical laboratory crisis
  6. September 2026
  7. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Qualifications Authority has warned employers, education institutions and professional bodies against accepting fraudulent or misrepresented qualifications

    Source

    “The NQA has warned employers, education institutions and professional bodies against accepting fraudulent or misrepresented qualifications, pointing out that fake credentials can unfairly displace qualified candidates, undermine public safety and erode confidence in Namibia's education and training system.”

    Fake Qualifications: The Certificate Is Not the Problem:  the culture Is.
  8. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) warned employers, education institutions and professional bodies against accepting fraudulent or misrepresented qualifications

    Source

    “The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) has warned employers, education institutions and professional bodies against accepting fraudulent or misrepresented qualifications, saying fake credentials can undermine public safety, unfairly displace qualified candidates and erode trust in Namibia's education and training system.”

    NQA warns against fake qualifications
  9. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Qualifications Authority formally recognised Nampol Certificate in Policing at NQF Level 5

    Source

    “Nainda made the remarks during the official receipt of accreditation certificates at the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) headquarters in Windhoek, where the Nampol Certificate in Policing was formally recognised at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5.”

    Nampol training accredited at NQF Level 5
  10. August 2026
  11. Informanté

    Namibia Qualifications Authority accredits medical qualifications of Namibian students studying medicine in Cuba

    Source

    “Most of the Namibian students in Cuba are studying engineering and medicine, while some have already graduated and are preparing to return home with medical qualifications accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority.”

    Namibia, Cuba seek stronger cooperation as Ngurare visits Havana
  12. July 2026
  13. Windhoek Observer

    NQA reached wage agreement with NAPWU providing 7% salary increase effective April 1

    Source

    “NAPWU said the agreement was reached following negotiations between the union and NQA.”

    NAPWU announces wage agreement with NQA for 2026/27 financial year
  14. New Era

    Namibia Qualifications Authority must accredit all programmes before they can be offered to students

    Source

    “In addition, all programmes must be accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) before they can be offered to students.”

    ‘Don’t enrol at unregistered institutions’
Society

NUST offers transfers, financial solutions for medical lab sciences students

The News

NUST is offering affected medical laboratory sciences students transfers to other NUST programmes or partner institutions and determining "appropriate financial solutions on a case-by-case basis," following a petition by 173 students over a disrupted programme. The university has consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority and engaged independent laboratories for work-integrated learning placements.

8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 8 October

  1. NUST offers transfers, financial solutions for medical lab sciences students

    NUST is offering affected medical laboratory sciences students transfers to other NUST programmes or partner institutions and determining "appropriate financial solutions on a case-by-case basis," following a petition by 173 students over a disrupted programme. The university has consulted the Namibia Qualifications Authority and engaged independent laboratories for work-integrated learning placements.

    8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

  2. Nust offers alternatives to medical laboratory sciences students

    The Namibia University of Science and Technology is offering affected medical laboratory sciences students the option to transfer to other programmes or partner institutions as it addresses accreditation challenges involving practical training capacity, laboratory facilities, and professional supervision.

    8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. NUST engages medical lab science students on academic pathways

    Namibia University of Science and Technology is addressing challenges in its Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences programme by engaging affected students individually on academic pathways, financial support, and practical training opportunities. The programme has faced concerns over accreditation, laboratory facilities, professional supervision, and capacity for Work-Integrated Learning required for professional registration.

    8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. NUST intensifies efforts to resolve medical laboratory science crisis

    The Namibia University of Science and Technology is engaging affected students individually to address challenges in its Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences programme, including concerns over accreditation, laboratory facilities, professional supervision, and limited capacity for work-integrated learning.

    8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 23 September

  1. Namibia's real problem is culture enabling fake qualifications

    An opinion piece argues that while fake qualifications are a concern, the underlying issue is a culture that normalizes shortcuts and treats rules as inconveniences. The Namibia Qualifications Authority has warned employers and institutions that fraudulent credentials unfairly displace qualified candidates, undermine public safety, and erode confidence in Namibia's education system.

    23 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. NQA warns employers against accepting fake qualifications

    The Namibia Qualifications Authority has warned employers, education institutions and professional bodies against accepting fraudulent or misrepresented qualifications, saying such credentials can undermine public safety, displace qualified candidates and erode trust in Namibia's education system. The NQA executive urged stakeholders to treat qualification verification as a key part of recruitment and professional registration rather than an administrative formality.

    23 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 22 September

  1. Namcol targeting 2028-2029 launch as open university

    The Namibia College of Open Learning is working towards transforming into an open university with a targeted launch in 2028 or 2029, though the ministry still needs Cabinet approval before the transformation can proceed.

    22 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Namibian Police Force secures NQF Level 5 accreditation

    The Namibian Police Force has secured accreditation for its basic police training programme at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, following 17 years of curriculum development and review. The new accredited Police Basic Course runs for 12 months with 11 core modules, expanding from the previous six-month, six-module programme.

    17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. TVET certificates alone fail to address Namibia's unemployment crisis

    Namibia's 36.9% unemployment rate, the highest in the SADC region, reflects a mismatch between qualifications produced and actual job readiness. About a third of TVET graduates are not in employment, education, or training, while employers report persistent shortages in digital and technical skills even as the system oversupplies graduates in business management and public administration.

    15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 17 August

  1. PM Ngurare reassures Namibian students facing hardships in Cuba

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited Namibian students in Havana and heard complaints about electricity shortages and poor hostel food disrupting their studies. He pledged that the government would not abandon them, praising their resilience despite the difficult conditions.

    17 August 2026 · New Era →

Monday 10 August

  1. Namibia and Cuba seek expanded economic cooperation beyond politics

    Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare is visiting Cuba (6–11 August 2026) to deepen cooperation in education, healthcare, youth development, water infrastructure, engineering and tourism. Ngurare called for the two countries to move beyond longstanding political solidarity towards stronger economic ties and people-to-people exchanges.

    10 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 7 August

  1. Namibia's youth unemployment rooted in readiness gap, not credentials

    Nearly a quarter of Namibians aged 18–35 hold post-secondary qualifications yet only 18% are in full-time employment, according to Afrobarometer data cited in the article. The author argues the real problem is a "readiness gap"—the distance between what curricula certify and what workplaces actually demand—rather than a lack of training or qualifications.

    7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Government launches implementation of National Work-Integrated Learning Policy

    Namibia has begun implementing its National Work-Integrated Learning Policy to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace skills, aiming to improve graduate employability. The implementation phase was launched during a two-day national working session in Okahandja, bringing together education institutions, employers, and state agencies to establish coordination mechanisms and monitoring systems for 2026/27.

    29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 17 July

  1. Pendukeni introduces keynote speaker at Welwitchia graduation

    Monika Pendukeni introduced Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka as the keynote speaker at Welwitchia University's 9th Official Graduation Ceremony, held on 16–17 July 2026 at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Pendukeni introduces Deputy Minister Ndjaleka at Welwitchia graduation

    Monika Pendukeni introduced Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Susan Ndjaleka as the keynote speaker at Welwitchia University's 9th Official Graduation Ceremony held at Mercure Hotel, Windhoek on 16–17 July 2026.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Welwitschia chancellor calls for full NSFAF funding for private students

    Welwitschia University Chancellor Scholastika Iipinge has called on NSFAF to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, stating that partial funding continues to leave families carrying a financial burden despite government promises of equal treatment.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. NSFAF urged to provide full funding for private university students

    The Chancellor of Welwitschia University has called on NSFAF to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, noting that partial sponsorships continue to leave families bearing financial burdens despite government promises of equal treatment.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 16 July

  1. NAPWU secures 7% wage raise with NQA for 2026/27

    The Namibia Public Workers Union has concluded a wage agreement with the Namibia Qualifications Authority for the 2026/27 financial year, providing a 7% increase in basic salaries effective 1 April, and raising housing allowance from 31% to 33% of basic salaries.

    16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 6 July

  1. Health training institutions seek simpler accreditation system

    Health training institutions have called for a streamlined, harmonised accreditation system to reduce duplicate inspections and regulatory overlap. They cite long approval processes and a shortage of clinical training sites as obstacles to training health professionals.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Parliament inquires into health training quality and graduate unemployment

    Parliament's Standing Committee on Education has launched an inquiry into Namibia's health training sector over concerns about graduate unemployment, accreditation delays, and training quality as the number of health training institutions has grown. The committee convened a two-day consultation with institutions, regulators, and students, with representatives from 12 health training institutions citing prolonged accreditation processes and overlapping regulatory requirements as obstacles.

    6 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 4 July

  1. Unam nursing students turned away from clinics due to capacity limits

    Nursing students at the University of Namibia are being turned away from some clinics because student numbers are growing faster than the capacity of health facilities to supervise clinical placements. Unam's executive dean told Parliament that overcrowding has become one of the university's biggest challenges.

    4 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Ministry warns public against unregistered higher education institutions

    The Ministry of Education has urged Namibians to avoid enrolling in unregistered or unaccredited higher education institutions, warning that their qualifications are not recognised for employment or further studies. The ministry stressed that all institutions must be registered with the National Council for Higher Education or the Namibia Training Authority, and all programmes must be accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority.

    2 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. Health Council regulations clarify document service procedures

    The ministry of health and social services has gazetted two new sets of regulations under the Health Professions Act of 2024, establishing procedures for serving official documents on registered health professionals and setting out requirements for authorising health practitioners in government employment.

    2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 25 June

  1. Ministry urges public to report unregistered higher education institutions

    The Ministry of Education has urged the public to report higher education institutions operating without registration or accreditation, warning that qualifications from unregistered and unaccredited institutions may not be accepted by employers or other learning institutions. The ministry advises prospective students to verify a college or university's registration with the NCHE or NTA before enrolling and to check that their course is accredited with the NQA before making payments.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. NQA warns ministries against evaluating qualifications independently

    The Namibia Qualifications Authority has instructed ministries not to evaluate qualifications, asserting that qualification evaluation is its legal mandate. The government is rolling out a national policy on qualifications standards approved by Cabinet in November 2025, aimed at standardising curriculum content and entry requirements across institutions to address inconsistencies in education.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Vice President praises inclusive vocational education programme milestone

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi commended Namibia's inclusive education efforts at a graduation ceremony where 696 learners with special educational needs and disabilities received Certificates in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills, the programme's second cohort since its 2019 introduction. The NQA-accredited programme prepares graduates for vocational training, entrepreneurship, employment, and further education opportunities.

    20 May 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 23 April

  1. CPBN strengthens appointment procedures for bid evaluation committee members

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced strengthened procedures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee members, requiring applicants to possess accredited qualifications, valid certificates of conduct, compulsory training, and competency assessment. The enhanced process aims to promote integrity, transparency, and efficiency in public procurement.

    23 April 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 April

  1. Nipam delivers cleaning course to heritage council staff

    The Namibia Institute for Public Administration and Management (Nipam) trained fourteen participants from the National Heritage Council in a five-day cleaning and housekeeping course this week at a cost of N$4,500 per trainee in Windhoek and N$5,400 outside Windhoek, aiming to address gaps in professional cleaning standards and hygiene practices. The course, open to government employees and the public, is offered throughout the year and provides hands-on training in real-life cleaning scenarios across offices and accommodation facilities on campus.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. CPBN introduces stricter requirements for bid evaluators

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has introduced new measures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee members, including requirements for accredited qualifications, police clearance certificates, and mandatory training and competency assessments. The reforms aim to address longstanding concerns about transparency, capacity gaps, and delays in public procurement evaluations.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

  1. NTA urges employers to claim training grants by May 5

    The Namibia Training Authority has reminded employers to submit their Employer Training Grant claims before the 5 May 2026 deadline, allowing them to recover up to 50% of levies paid for training that aligns with national skills development priorities. Unclaimed funds will be redirected to priority training initiatives, and late submissions will result in forfeiture.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

Namibia Qualifications Authority — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute