WINDHOEK, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The University of Namibia (UNAM) held its first campus job fair for Chinese-speaking talent on Saturday, bringing together about 30 Chinese enterprises and Namibian students and graduates seeking to turn their language skills into career opportunities.
Jointly organized by UNAM's Confucius Institute and the Global-South China-Africa Research Center, the fair connected Chinese enterprises operating in Namibia with local talent, particularly Chinese-language learners and Namibians who had studied in China.
For UNAM graduate Soin Ndalimbililwa, who arrived with her curriculum vitae and an HSK Chinese proficiency certificate, the event offered a chance to put her language learning to practical use.
"It is a great opportunity for students as well as fellow young people who are still job-seeking to build relationships and connections which will result in employment," she told Xinhua.
The participating enterprises, including private and state-owned companies, represented sectors such as mining, manufacturing, tourism, road construction and logistics. Company representatives introduced their businesses and outlined employment opportunities, internships and graduate training programs that could lead to permanent positions.
For those still studying, the fair also offered an opportunity to learn about potential employers and prepare for the transition from university to the workplace.
UNAM student Leroy Nangolo said he was surprised by the number of Chinese enterprises operating in Namibia and offering employment opportunities.
"I am still absorbing it. This platform is good to learn and make connections for the future when we start job hunting," he said.
Beyond recruitment, company representatives highlighted opportunities for local employees to develop professional skills through working alongside their Chinese counterparts.
Fabianus Shilongo, human resources superintendent at GMS Namibia Mining Services, said the company employed more than 550 Namibians working alongside Chinese colleagues.
Chinese staff were sharing their expertise with local employees to facilitate skills transfer, he said.
Angela Naobes, from UNAM's Directorate of Student Affairs, said the fair strengthened the link between education and employment by bringing together academic learning, language proficiency, cultural understanding and career opportunities.
"Your commitment to connecting talent with industry demonstrates the importance of collaboration between education institutions and the private sector in preparing our young people for the future," she said.
Liu Dianbo, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at UNAM, said the event sought to translate the outcomes of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's July visit to China into concrete action.
He also described Chinese-language learning as a bridge to opportunity and encouraged more Namibians to enroll at the institute. ■
