The High Commission of India has marked  Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) Day, highlighting the partnership and skills development supported through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.

ITEC was established by the Indian government in 1964 and has since trained over 200,000 officials from more than 160 countries.  

India offers more than 10,000 fully funded training opportunities each year, with close to 9,000 professionals attending ITEC courses during the 2025-26 training year.

India's High Commissioner to Namibia, Shri Rahul Shrivastava, described the programme as an important part of the partnership between India and Namibia.

"Ever since Namibia gained independence, it has been a partner in the ITEC programme, and we have established an alumni network comprising about 1,700 experts and officials, including defence personnel from various ministries in Namibia. ITEC Day is a celebration of this achievement. It commemorates the gathering of alumni, demonstrating that the partnership between India and Namibia is thriving and highlighting how it has contributed to institutional development in Namibia."

Beneficiaries of the ITEC Programme shared how the training has shaped both their professional skills and their personal experiences.

For many, the opportunity also meant meeting people from different countries and gaining a broader understanding of culture and diversity.

One of the beneficiaries, Martha Nghipandulwa, studied Digital Forensics in India, where she acquired technical skills to help combat online criminal activities.

Another beneficiary, Andreas Heskiel, completed a course in Cloud Computing, gaining practical knowledge in using software to manage and transfer digital content.

The beneficiaries welcomed the opportunity to participate in the programme and the practical skills and experiences it has provided.