Luanda, 07/31 – The hand-over of certificates to 773 graduates from the State-owned Agostinho Neto University (UAN) Thursday in Luanda represents a relevant step towards the elevation of Angolan professionals’ technical skill and rewards the Government’s effort in education.

This was said by the Territory Administration minister, Virgílio de Fontes Pereira, while chairing the closing of the graduates certificate hand-over ceremony, on behalf of Angolan head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.

He said the ceremony represents the engagement of Angolan Government in the training of personnel required for the sustainable development of the country.

“We are living today in a globalised world in which fair competition among states focuses on the quality of their human resources. Our country is rich in natural resources, but without skilled and competitive personnel, we are forced into remaining exporters of raw materials,” said the minister.

According to him, when in November 2002 the Standing Commission of the Cabinet Council approved the UAN programme that provided for the expansion of the institution, rise in the number of enrolled and finalist students, and improved research education, it was uncertain that the expectations would be surpassed.

Virgílio de Fontes Pereira who is also the coordinator of the Interministerial Commission for the Electoral Process (CIPE) recalled that in 2002 the students population at the public university was estimated at little more than 9,000, a figure that has now risen to about 50,000.

In 2002, he added, the number of graduates per year was of 172, against the current 2,219.

“Since higher education was institutionalised in the far 1972/1973 academic year, until 2001, a total of 5,043 graduate were trained. However, with the achievement of peace in 2002, until today, UAN has released 7,107 graduates, which shows the benefits of this conquest,” he also said.

To this achievement, he added, the political vision of the president of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, in his capacity as head of the Government and the hard work of the UAN chancellery, the lecturing staff and workers, were decisive.

Since 2006, UAN has 17 organic units running a total of 81 courses in 12 of the country’s 18 provinces.

The ceremony of hand-over of certificates covered finalists students from the Faculties of Sciences (118), Law (114), Economics (60), Engineering (101), Arts and Social Sciences (140), Medicine (98), Luanda Higher Institute of Education Sciences (101) and Higher Nursery (41).

It was attended by government officials, MPs, diplomats, church members and relatives of students.