Barthromeus Shileka on Edutec’s mission to revolutionise learning

For Barthromeus Shileka, leadership is about more than overseeing a company. It is about creating an environment where ideas can meet, develop and ultimately produce work that makes a difference.

As chief executive officer of Edutec, Shileka is at the centre of a company seeking to change how learners and professionals interact with complex subjects through digital simulations and emerging technologies.

His academic background spans automotive and mechanical engineering and education, giving him a combination of technical and educational know-how that has become central to his work.

Shileka says Edutec was established after recognising that many students were still learning through passive methods that did not sufficiently engage them. The company sought to address what he describes as a lack of interactive, hands-on digital learning tools designed for the African context.

“We exist to reimagine the way Namibia learns,” he says.

Established in 2024, Edutec initially focused on academic simulations for schools before expanding into areas including mining and healthcare. Its work has since included science simulations, healthcare applications, green hydrogen and nuclear power plant simulations for the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST).

As CEO, Shileka’s responsibilities include providing leadership, ensuring that systems are in place, keeping his team focused and making sure that the company’s work is thoroughly analysed and meets a high standard.

His leadership style is notably collaborative.

“Where my thoughts end is where my team’s thoughts begin,” he says.

The philosophy reflects his belief that a CEO does not have to be the only source of ideas. Instead, his role includes creating space for his team to contribute their expertise and challenge thinking.

That collaborative approach also extends beyond Edutec. Shileka says partnerships with educational institutions, government and industry are essential to ensuring that the company’s solutions remain relevant, accurate and aligned with real-world needs.

Optimised learning

 The company is also adapting to challenges such as connectivity and digital literacy, including optimising its simulations for low-bandwidth environments and providing onboarding and training support.

Looking ahead, Shileka has ambitions that extend beyond Namibia. Edutec aims to become a leading provider of interactive simulation-based learning in Africa, with plans for increasingly intelligent AI-powered simulations and an interactive AI blackboard capable of turning hand-drawn sketches into live simulations.

For Shileka, the direction of education is clear. “The future of education is interactive and intelligent, and Edutec intends to lead it.”