Rossing Uranium has sent three Namibian students to China to begin master’s studies in nuclear energy and will sponsor four learners on a 10-day “Gen Z Youth Exchange” in September—steps the company says mark the start of a national skills pipeline for a future nuclear power industry.
Rossing’s General Manager for Human Capital, Safety and Sustainability, Liezl Davies, said the initiative is a deliberate response to that call.
“We are not only mining uranium; we are investing in the human capital that will one day power Namibia’s nuclear future.”
The three bursars are enrolled at Harbin Engineering University under the Atomic Energy Scholarship Programme, supported by the China Scholarship Council and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
Their studies are endorsed by Namibia’s Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Authority and linked to the International Atomic Energy Agency fellowship programme in Vienna.
Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses, who attended the announcement, tied the programme to long-term planning.
She noted that the government has considered nuclear energy since 2008 and remains committed to pursuing it, calling nuclear “crucial for industrialisation due to its reliability, high energy output and low carbon emissions.”
Frank Chang Jingtao, President of CNUC Namibia, underscored CNNC’s global track record, citing recent milestones such as the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 in Fujian, the launch of the Jinqimen project in Zhejiang, and export projects in Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
“CNNC is not only a global nuclear energy leader but also an innovator delivering projects on time, to the highest safety standards, and in cooperation with international partners,” he said, signalling capacity and interest to support Namibia should the government proceed with nuclear power development.
Alongside the postgraduate bursaries, Rossing and CNUC are sending four learners aged 12 to 15 to China in September.
Rossing’s Manager for Corporate Communications, Daylight Ekandjo, said the exchange aims to inspire young Namibians to pursue careers in science and technology.
“For Namibia, it represents a powerful opportunity to ignite a love for science, technology, and innovation in our future leaders.”
Human Resources Manager Germano Musili added that both programmes were designed for fairness and representation, with a focus on gender balance and geographic spread in the youth cohort, and pledged structured graduate pathways, expatriate-level support, and mentorship for the master’s students.
“From classroom to nuclear facilities, they will be immersed in the technologies and practices of the future. Upon their return, they will bring back not just degrees, but the skills and confidence to contribute to Namibia’s nuclear readiness.”
Namibia is among the world’s top uranium producers but has no nuclear power plants.
With uranium central to the country’s energy and industrialisation plans, Rossing’s education and exchange programmes represent the first corporate initiative aimed squarely at building nuclear expertise.
Davies said the collaboration with the government, CNNC, CNUC, and the IAEA is intended to establish a long-term skills pipeline.
“This is not only an investment in their futures but a deliberate step in building the technical expertise Namibia needs to achieve the President’s vision.”
