UNAM and Partners Launch WeldNAM to Boost Industrial Growth

The University of Namibia, in collaboration with its strategic partners Kraatz Engineering, Metallum Fabrication, and NAMDOCK, proudly announces the formation of the Association for Welding and Allied Processes of Namibia, (WeldNAM). This strategic alliance aims to position welding as a pivotal technology for the growing Green Hydrogen sector and the broader industrialisation of Namibia.

WeldNAM’s primary objective is to add to welding technology in Namibia’s industrial landscape, particularly within the emerging sectors of Green Hydrogen, and Oil & Gas. By promoting international knowledge exchange and supporting education, qualification, and certification, WeldNAM is committed to developing Namibian welding personnel to international competitive levels.

Prof. Dr. Kenneth Matengu, UNAM Vice Chancellor, said: “This initiative is a significant part of our Human Resource Competency Development mandate, ensuring that Namibian professionals are equipped with the latest skills and qualifications.”

WeldNAM is a non-profit organisation that is open for membership to all Namibian enterprises, institutions, authorities, and individuals affiliated with welding and allied processes. WeldNam joins the prestigious International Institute for Welding In a landmark achievement, WeldNAM, hosted at the University of Namibia, has successfully applied to join the International Institute for Welding (IIW). On 07 July 2024, in Rhodes, Greece, WeldNAM was awarded the status of Responsible Member Society of Namibia.

The IIW is a globally renowned organisation with over 5,000 experts from 52 member societies who collaborate on research and development. The IIW sets international benchmarks for welding and manufacturing processes and offers the only worldwide recognised education system, ranging from the international welder to the international welding engineer. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Böllinghaus, IIW President, said: “IIW cordially congratulates WeldNAM to the status as Responsible Member Society of Namibia. This represents a significant step forward within the IIW strategy to internationalise our welding community even more.

“WeldNAM has high potentials to become the third ANB of the 54 African countries. Welding is a key technology in industrialisation, and we are proud to cooperate in this process for Namibia with our new IIW member WeldNAM.”

In October 2023, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UNAM and IIW was signed, laying the groundwork for establishing Namibia as a Responsible Member Society within the IIW framework.
“WeldNAM is now focused on attaining the status of an Authorised Nominating Body (ANB). This will also involve creating a quality management system for welders under which Authorised Training Bodies (ATB) can operate,” said Prof. Dr. Matengu.

As part of these developments, UNAM is pleased to announce the introduction of a Master of Science (MSc) in Manufacturing Technology with specialisation in Welding and Allied Processes. This programme will include a short course leading to the qualification of International Welding Engineer for individuals already holding an engineering degree. The establishment of WeldNAM and its associated educational programmes marks a substantial step towards the industrialisation of Namibia. Support for the development of WeldNAM via a Namibian-German Administrative Partnership funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is gratefully acknowledged.

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