By:Fransina Nghidengwa
Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation at telecommunication giant MTC, Nawa Likando, believes Edu Game Namibia’s focus on game development is vital to the knowledge economy.
According to Likando, the focus is critical since it prepares the younger generation for the future.
This comes as MTC announced on Tuesday its support for Edu Game Namibia, a game creation organisation dedicated to teaching next generation game design, development and programming skills.
The endorsement is part of MTC’s efforts to help Namibian innovative start-ups through its MTC Innovation Centre at the University of Science and Technology (Nust) in Windhoek. The cutting-edge MTC Innovation Centre fosters digital skills, literacy and innovation by providing a platform for the creation of ICT goods and services.
“MTC is proud to endorse Edu Game Namibia, and we are committed to supporting their efforts to improve the skills of the younger generation,” Likandosaid.
MTC hopes to bridge the gap between university curricula and industry needs through its association with Edu Game Namibia, by providing students with the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain relevant information.
The programme is intended to give young kids the abilities they need to construct their own games. MTC hopes to prepare the next generation of gamers to be producers rather than merely consumers of gaming products by teaming with Edu Game Namibia.
As part of the endorsement, Edu Game Namibia will have access to the MTC Innovation Centre’s equipment, technical support and resources, allowing the programme to reach more children and parents and expand its offerings to include adult training programmes, according to Likando.
Meanwhile, Tutaleni Iilonga, co-founder of Edu Game Namibia, stated that MTC’s endorsement has been a big boost to their efforts, and the MTC Innovation Centre has the equipment and tools they need to grow the student’s skills, which they are happy to have access to.
“The Edu Game Namibia programme has already received positive feedback from students,” he said.
Ezra Mulumbwelwa, one of the programme’s students, said the classes have been so engaging and have taught him so much about game creation that he cannot wait to start working on his first game.
MTC stated that its support for Edu Game Namibia is an important step forward in promoting digital skills in Namibia and building a knowledge-based economy.
“With the support of MTC, Edu Game Namibia is well-positioned to train the younger generation and create a pool of skilled game developers in Namibia.”
