India-Namibia Centre of Excellence for Information Technology inaugurated during EAM Jaishankar’s visit

The India-Namibia Centre of Excellence for Information Technology (INCEIT) was launched at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Tuesday (June 5, 2023) during the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Through this project, India and Namibia aim to forge closer bilateral connections, demonstrating their shared commitment to fostering technical innovation and human resource development.

Expressing his gratitude to the Namibian Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Namibian government, EAM Jaishankar conveyed his appreciation for their support in establishing INCEIT.

While highlighting the significance of the inauguration, he noted that it recognized the successful partnership between India and Namibia, demonstrating the inspiration and advancement made in Namibia's digital journey. He added that the Centre serves as evidence of both countries' common aim to improve their human resources, particularly among young people, by giving them access to essential technology capabilities.

Appreciating the efforts of all those involved in this project, EAM Jaishankar pointed out that the Centre had started offering courses in November 2019 when India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) provided the course materials, the reference books and much of the IT hardware and software. Six master trainers from Namibia were given vigorous training at CDAC in India,

The Centre's unique feature is that it is powered by the PARAM supercomputer that has been named as ARUB.

The mission of INCEIT is to provide programmes that are industry-focused and centered on software development, big data analytics, e-governance, and cyber security. The Institute has taught approximately 275 people since it opened in November 2019, including government officials, academics, teachers, and researchers. The accomplishment of an INCEIT student, who took first place at the sixth Namibia National Cyber Security Competition, demonstrates the Centre's contribution to the creation of a knowledge-based society.

Drawing upon India's own experiences, EAM Jaishankar emphasized the crucial role of technology and innovation in good governance. He gave examples like the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), which changed digital commerce and financial inclusion in India, and the Co-Win Application, which helped administer over 2.5 billion doses of the Covid-19 vaccine effectively.

EAM Jaishankar also emphasized India's dedication to building African nations' capacity, particularly through technical training facilities, information technology centres, science and technology parks, entrepreneurship development facilities, and geo-informatics programs for rural development. He pointed out that this collaboration supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of using India's expertise in the digital revolution to aid Africa's development objectives.

He also emphasized India's commitment to fostering relations with Namibia and pledged specialized training, technological resources, and on-going cooperation. He urged the Center to serve as a link between academics and business, emphasized the significance of sustainability, and outlined the Centre's contribution to the achievement of its goals.

In conclusion, the Indian External Affairs Minister expressed confidence in the success of INCEIT's academic and research activities, highlighting their potential to position Namibia as an ICT powerhouse in Africa and beyond. He reassured Namibia of India's unwavering support in their journey towards excellence.