Republikein Newspaper

Staff reporter



The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) launched the Havana youth café on 15 December 2020 under the auspices of the Reconstructed Living Lab (RLabs Namibia) project.

The Rlabs project was funded by the embassy of Finland through the Funds for Local Cooperation funding instrument, with significant co-financing from NUST.

This auspicious event was attended by officials from the ministry of education, arts and culture, Havana Primary School senior management, the youth café digital business partner - MTC, the University of Namibia senior management, representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), members of the Namibian business community, the media, NUST management and staff as well as the Havana youth group and community representatives.

The Launch was officiated by Hannele Hupanen, the Funds for Local Cooperation project coordinator, who delivered a speech on behalf of the embassy of Finland in Namibia.

Dr Möwes, acting vice-chancellor of NUST, said the youth café will be a safe space where unemployed and marginalised youth can be empowered.

“NUST, as part of their community engagement efforts, will support through training, inclusive innovation, technology access and development, in order for them to contribute to economic growth and social development of their communities”.

With a focus on digital jobs and services, the Faculty of Computing and Informatics at NUST, and in particular the Inclusive and Collaborative Local Tech Innovation Hub, which was also seed funded by the embassy of Finland and now self-sustaining, have committed to a long-term collaboration.

In an effort to ensure sustainability of this youth-led initiative, NUST appeals to the public and private sector, international partners, academic institutes and the communities to continue working together.

The contribution of all institutions and individuals who supported the construction and launch of the Rlabs project and the Havana Youth Café in particular and may not have been credited by name, is greatly appreciated.

In particular, sincere appreciation goes to MTC, which is supporting the operation of the café with digital connection, equipment and service development under the NUST-MTC memorandum of understanding, jointly promoting inclusive national tech innovation.

For further information please contact:

Prof Heike Winschiers-Theophilus, ICTechHub Project Manager, Email: [email protected]

Tel.: +264 813 198 582 www.ictechhub.com