The University of Namibia offers International Computer Driving License (ICDL) certification programmes through its Department of Computing, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences. The centre is called UNAM-ICDL & Digital Literacy Unit. The unit is registered and accredited as an ICDL training and testing center in Namibia. It aims to promote and strengthen digital literacy skills and strengthen digital competencies among staff members and students. However, programmes are not limited to internal staff and students, external students can also do their certification by registering through UCCB.
The virtual unit is managed by Dr. Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka. Mr. Josef Mutonga is the official Tester for the unit. To date, over 50 University staff members and students have successfully completed their ICDL profile certificates through the unit. According to the Coordinator, “digital literacy skills are now inseparable from our daily work or life and are in high demand in the industry”. Therefore, there is a greater need for our staff and students to become digitally literate.
The unit offers programmes at three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Some of the popular profile certificate modules are: Online essentials (Internet and MS Outlook), Computer Essentials, Word Processing, Excel (Spreadsheet), Access (Database), PowerPoint (presentation), Project planning (using MS project), IT Security, Image Editing, Web Editing, and Digital Marketing. Students can also do the following modules at an advanced level, provided that they have acquired an ICDL certificate with a pass in all 7 modules: PowerPoint, Database, Spreadsheet, and Word Processing.
ICDL Foundation visits and audits all accredited training and testing centres every 3 years to ensure that quality standards are upheld. The centre at UNAM underwent an audit in 2019 and was found to be fully compliant with the ICDL standards and procedures.
The world of work nowadays requires a highly digital-oriented workforce. Hence, all interested and prospective students are therefore encouraged to contact the ICDL Centre Coordinator: Dr. Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka at: spshihomeka@unam.na for more information or 061-206 3046. Classes can be offered in the evenings for two weeks or during our intensive ICDL training for 5 days. Participants will receive certificates from ICDL South Africa.
The cost for the Profile Certification whereby a candidate will cover 4 base modules is N$3 200 for UNAM staff and students inclusive of one diagnostic test and one exam per module. However, if a candidate fails a module and has to repeat it, they will be required to make payment as determined by the Centre first. This affordable option is only applicable to our staff members and registered students. External candidates are charged N$4 500 or should contact the coordinator for the costs. Students who have completed ICDL Profile Certificates can be exempted from doing Digital Literacy Modules at UNAM.
The training dates for the 2023 academic year are as follows:
- Windhoek Campus: 8 May – 2 June 2023 (Evening hours 17h30 – 21h00)
- Windhoek Campus: 4 September – 29 September 2023 (Evening hours 17h30 – 21h00)
- Northern Campus: 5 – 16 June 2023
- Rundu Campus: 19 – 30 June 2023
- Katima Mulilo Campus: 3 – 14 July 2023
- Southern Campus: 17 – 28 July 2023
- Coastal Campus: 7 – 18 August 2023
For registration, follow the link below:
https://forms.gle/c7fdsGp9aPfRQTmh7
Various Departments can also request tailor-made training – for example, they can request their staff members to be trained on a specific module based on the needs and relevance in that department. Therefore, we are all encouraged to contact the coordinator for more information. “A workplace digital team is an empowered team in this era”. “Let’s kick out digital illiteracy”.
