Remarks

Matt Harrington, Chargé D’Affaires a.i.
Remarks for the Official Hand Over of Computer Equipment to TUCSIN
TUCSIN
October 24, 2008 @ 10:30 a.m.

Good morning, it is a pleasure to be here today at TUCSIN -  The University Centre For Studies in Namibia.  First off, allow me to offer my congratulations and those of the U.S. government on 30 years of excellence in providing education to previously disadvantaged Namibian students.  The U.S. Embassy is privileged to have partnered with TUCSIN over the years and we are honored to continue to work with you toward your goals of lifelong learning, and the development of Namibia through education. 

In the past, your students have attended education advising sessions and computer training at the American Cultural Center, you have received Ambassador’s Self Help Grants, and you have participated in the Fulbright programs, when your former students – after graduating with tertiary degrees, successfully competed for the prestigious Fulbright Fellowships.  This is still happening today.  Vida DeVoss traveled to Iowa State University as one of our first-ever candidates to participate in the English-as-a-second-language Fulbright Fellowship for a Master’s degree.

TUCSIN also partners with the American Cultural Center by providing the testing facility for all of the exams required to study in the United States.  Whether it be the TOEFL or the GRE or the SAT, TUCSIN has been our close partner for years.  With this year’s grant from the American Cultural Center, we are able to extend and improve this partnership and bring it into the 21st century.  I am, of course, talking about TUCSIN’s commitment to establish online testing for these exams, allowing Namibian students more opportunities to take these exams and improve their chances for study in the United States.  We thank TUCSIN for its commitment to this program and for providing the necessary equipment to link the computers to the internet.  I understand that the new, online testing will begin in January 2009. 

This donation will also empower TUCSIN to expand its current computer and IT curriculum.  Besides basic computer courses and training in Microsoft applications, TUCSIN now plans to establish its Alpha Club.  This will allow students greater access to internet research, expanded online support for students who need more assistance in English and mathematics, and opportunities for students to improve their language skills through daily listening exercises.  

And TUCSIN is not resting on these laurels but is already pursuing further educational approaches that it might implement in 2009 using these computers as a platform. 

And now, it gives me the greatest pleasure to officially hand over this computer equipment valued at more than N$ 68,000 to TUCSIN.  I know that you will use it well and we look forward to another 30 years of cooperation.