31 December 2020
Analysis Reveals Ivory Origins on 16th-Century Shipwreck
An international multi-institutional study initiated by the University of Cape Town (UCT) involving the scientific and historical analysis of elephant tusks found in the cargo of a ship wrecked off Namibia in the 16th century revealed some “remarkable” findings. Read more
ICT Services Self Help Portal
In light of the University’s lockdown that commenced at 16h30 on Thursday, 26 March 2020, the Department of Information and Communications Technology is committed to the support of NUST staff members throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
NUST Receives N$1.3 Million Lab Equipment
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) received four different pieces of laboratory equipment for the analysis of bush-biomass and the development of wood-plastic composites with a procurement value of N$1.3 million. Read more
30 November 2020
Certification of NUST Lecturers Continues
The fourth group of 57 lecturers has enrolled for the Institution’s Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme, aimed at advancing pedagogical skills and offering lecturers learning experiences of the highest level. Read more
Fifth NUST Annual Programming Competition Goes Virtual
The fifth edition of the NUST Annual Programming Competition recently took place virtually, under the theme: “Creating a knowledge-based society through reasoning about computer programs for the 4IR.” Read more
Making Dreams Come True and Empowering Girls Through Stem
Through the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences (FHAS), NUST is providing supplementary educational support to various teachers and selected students across the country, in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject areas. Read more
Namibians Studying in US Increases Dramatically
A total of 121 Namibian students are currently studying at US universities and colleges – an increase of over 80% in the last five years, according to the US Embassy’s EducationUSA office. Read more
NPS Loses NUST Tender
A local security company, whose three-year contract to provide security services to the Namibia University of Science and Technology was revoked by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia’s review panel. Read more
31 October 2020
Lecturer Receives International Recognition for Contributions…
Dr Katherine Carter, Coordinator of the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education at NUST, was recently awarded the status of Senior Fellow by the Higher Education Academy in the UK. Read more
NUST and UNAM Sign Memorandum of Understanding
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), and the University of Namibia (UNAM), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently. The agreement will see the two institutions collaborating in various areas to the benefit of students, staff and the Namibian nation at large. Read more
Remote Learning Devices for NUST Students
A needs analysis conducted by the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) earlier this year concluded that many students in Namibia do not have access to laptops or computers, and they cannot afford the cost of data. Read more
Swakop Invites Bids for Development of Tertiary Institution
The municipality of Swakopmund has reserved land for the construction of a tertiary institution and is inviting bids for the project. Read more
30 September 2020
International Partnerships in the Context of COVID-19 and Beyond
Societies, including universities are undergoing fundamental changes and adjustments against the backdrop of COVID-19. Read more
NUST, UNAM Sign Partnership Deal
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and University of Namibia (UNAM) have signed an agreement to collaborate in various areas to the benefit of students, staff and Namibia at large. Read more
Plug-in Campus Promotes Cross-Cultural Learning, Innovation
The Future Tech Lab, a plug-in campus set up within the main campus of the University of Namibia (UNAM) in Windhoek by Finnish higher education institution … Read more
30 August 2020
DEBMARINE, UNAM Launch COVID-19 Testing Lab
Diamond recovery giant Debmarine Namibia and the University of Namibia recently joined forces and established a laboratory that is licensed to conduct COVID-19 tests as local transmission cases pile up. The official hand-over of the equipment took place on Tuesday at the UNAM School of Medicine. Read more
Kopano Online Education Forum Empowers Educators in Namibia
Launched in March 2019, the forum, hosted by Center for Professional Development, Teaching and Learning Improvement at the University of Namibia, has grown over time. Read more
Student Fund Blocks N$180m Laptop Tender
NAMIBIA’s national student fund has cancelled a N$180 million contract to supply university students with 32 000 laptops due to “serious irregularities”. Read more
The Namibia University of Science and Technology will Resume Face-to-Face Lectures…
This comes after the university temporarily closed after a Covid-19 positive case was reported at the institution. Read more
31 July 2020
Digging Deeper into Soil Microbial Ecology
Determined to help ordinary citizens with the know-how to make informed decisions about ecology and biodiversity conservation… Read more
Engineering Staff Enhance Wastewater Management Skills
Five staff members from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), in the Faculty of Engineering, undertook a short training course on wastewater management. Read more
Faculty Rolls Out COVID-19 Care Project for Learners
The Faculty of Management Sciences through the Department of Marketing and Logistics, donated items to the School of the Hearing Impaired to aid the fight against COVID-19. Read more
Higher Education ‘Must Adapt to New Normal’
Higher education institutions must come up with innovative solutions and transition to a new normal amidst the current COVID-19 crisis. Read more
NSFAF Defunding Shatters Students’ Dreams
The Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) says it will not be able to fund close to 50 University of Namibia (Unam) students pursuing a diploma course in local government. Read more
Transformation of Ekusileni, a Breakthrough for Nust
The proposed transformation of Ekusileni Medical Centre into a specialist research and training institution is a breakthrough for the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) that wants to set up a medical school. Read more
30 June 2020
Bank Windhoek, NUST and b360 Host Online Career Starter Programme for Graduates
In support of social distancing measures aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19, Bank Windhoek, in partnership with NUST and B360 Education Partnerships, have decided to host an online Career Starter Programme. Read more
31 May 2020
Kick-Starting the Production of Succulents in Namibia
A Succulent Bio-Economy project was introduced to Namibian stakeholders by a team of the University of Oxford and the Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences. Read more
NUST Hosts First Virtual Graduation Ceremony
A graduation ceremony is the biggest highlight of a student’s academic journey and whilst NUSTs traditional 2020 April Graduation Ceremony has been postponed to October, the University celebrated the prestigious occasion on the initial date, despite the unfavourable circumstances. Read more
30 April 2020
NUST to Commence with E-learning in May Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
Namibia’s Science and Technology University (NUST), this week said the tertiary institute’s eLearning roll-out will commence on 5 May, as the global outbreak of COVID-19, continues. Read more
NUST Launches COVID-19 Website and Mobile App
Fake news is one of the factors that has proven to be a serious threat to efforts being made by health professionals. For this reason, amongst others, a website and an Android Mobile Application have been developed to provide factual and essential information about the outbreak of COVID-19 in Namibia. Read more
31 March 2020
Coronavirus – Namibia: Update an COVID-19 in Namibia (24 March 2020)
The 6th case is a 21-year-old Namibian male, student studying at WITS University in South Africa. He was tested in South Africa, but travelled back before results came out. The results came out today as positive. Read more
For the Love of Pangolins, Student Studies this Rare Mammal
A few weeks ago, wildlife conservationists around the globe commemorated World Pangolin Day, a day set aside to raise awareness about these unique mammals. Read more
NUST Management | Covid-19 Lockdown Measures #5
Yesterday, the President of the Republic of Namibia His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob announced that Namibia, particularly the Khomas and Erongo Regions, will be on a partial lockdown from Friday, 27 March at midnight, to Thursday 16 April 2020. Read more
28 February 2020
Cengage, Edge Learning Media Expand Access to Learning for SA’s Tertiary Students, Instructors
Cengage and Edge Learning Media are delighted to announce a new partnership in South Africa. This partnership will see Cengage representing Edge’s leading textbook catalogue within the South African public university sector, as well as in Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. Read more
NUST Partners with NCRST for Global Inter-Cultural Project
NUST students from the Faculty of Computing and Informatics are set to take part in a first of its kind learning experience. The students are set to engage in an international interdisciplinary project that involves distributed software development across four continents. Read more
Over 1,000 ‘Access Students’ Blocked from First Year
More than 1,000 students who registered last year with the University of Namibia through its access and foundation programmes are stranded without space to further their academic studies. Read more
31 January 2020
BoN Awards Bursaries to Five Best Matriculants
As part of the bank’s bursary scheme, matriculants who passed with flying colours were given bursaries to go pursue their studies at universities of their choice. Read more
Katjavivi Speaks Out Over NUST Infighting
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) chancellor Peter Katjavivi has spoken out against the internal chaos and infighting that has rocked the university’s top echelons. Read more
Minister in Nepotism Storm
A storm is brewing over the appointment of Hepuree Kandjii, the daughter of higher education minister Itah Kandji-Murangi, at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Read more
31 December 2019
Embracing Maintenance Software Training
The Faculty of Engineering recently held a training on SERTICA, which is a maintenance management system software, widely used in the field of maritime by shipping companies worldwide. Read more
NUST Appreciates Industry Partners
NUST’s Cooperative Education Unit (CEU) expressed gratitude to industry partners for hosting students for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements during the past three years. CEU acknowledged its indispensable partners’ support towards enhancing the employability of students. Read more
NUST-BUSH Project Hosts its First Regional Biomass Symposium in Windhoek
The Biomass Utilisation by Sustainable Harvest (BUSH) Project in collaboration with NUST and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) which is the main donor of the project, held its first Biomass Symposium recently in Windhoek. Read more
NUST Gets Recognition for Excellence in Cooperative Education
Staff from NUST’s Cooperative Education Unit (CEU) attended the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) conference held recently in Windhoek. Read more
Namibia Makes Steady Progress on Education SDG
Both Unesco representative to Namibia Djaffa Moussa-Elkadhum and the higher education ministry’s executive director, Alfred Van Kent, … concurred that education continues to be a top government expenditure area, although the country still needs to put more efforts into improving its quality. Read more
Senior NUST Engineering Lecturer Recognised at Global Convention
A Senior Lecturer at NUST and Coordinator of the Namibia Institute of Space Technology (NIST), was awarded a WFEO accolade in appreciation of her contribution towards the engineering fraternity. Read more
30 November 2019
Marine Engineering Students Visit Walvis Bay
A group of Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering students, from the Faculty of Engineering, recently visited the Marine Engineering cluster of Walvis Bay. Read more
New Journal Breathes Life into Scholarly Communication
Three years ago, when the National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST) in Namibia mooted the idea of a multidisciplinary academic journal, some critics thought it would never yield meaningful results. Others said it was a far-fetched idea that would fizzle out or evaporate into thin air. Read more
NUST Receives Awards at National ICT Summit
NUST won first place (Bronze Category) for its outstanding exhibition at the Sixth National ICT Summit held recently. Read more
31 October 2019
…as Student Graduates in Hospital
One of our students and former SRC member, Angy Uumati, was in ICU a few days ago and could not make it to the Ceremony. Read more
Debmarine – Namdeb Foundation Boosts e-Learning Lab with Tech Worth N$ 440 000
Swelling student numbers in UNAM’s second largest faculty- the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently benefited from a notable sponsorship by the Debmarine – Namdeb Foundation. Read more
New Programmes Awarded in Three Faculties
Three programmes were awarded for the first time at the just-ended Ceremony. The University continuously seeks ways to ensure curriculum development by revising existing programmes, in addition to introducing new ones. Read more
Otto’s Attitude of Gratitude, Against all Odds
Despite having to walk long distances to get to class and ploughing his neighbour’s field to raise funds for registration, Petrus Otto, successfully graduated top of his class, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Read more
Rangeland Science Students Explore Farm Middelplaats
A class of 30 first-year Rangeland Science students of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences, had an insightful experience last month at Farm Middelplaats, 30km to the south-west of Otjiwarongo. Read more
30 September 2019
22nd International Fixed Asset Management Forum Southern Africa (AMF-SA) Conference, Jointly Hosted by NUSTand UNAM
The 22nd International Fixed Asset Management Forum Southern Africa (AMF-SA) Conference, proudly hosted by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM), took place in Windhoek earlier this month. Read more
Alumni Department Comes to Life!
A new department, aimed at strengthening relations with the Institution’s graduates, was opened at NUST a few weeks ago. Referred to as the Alumni and University Foundation, the Department will also be responsible for fundraising initiatives. Read more
31 August 2019
Chinese Astronauts Land on NUST Campus
Two Chinese astronauts visited NUST yesterday to share their experiences in the development of space science. The event attracted scores of staff and students, from NUST and the University of Namibia, as well as school children. Read more
NUST Student Flies Namibian Flag High in Russia
Ronaldo Kathjiheve, a third-year Bachelor of Management student was selected to represent Namibia at the 45th WorldSkills Competition in Russia. Read more
30 June 2019
Unemployed Graduates Turn to Online Businesses for Survival
Unemployed youth who spoke to Youth Corner said they were forced to venture into business online because they were unemployed, despite having obtained qualifications at tertiary institutions. Read more
31 May 2019
NUST Open Houses 2019
NUST School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (SCEE), Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences and NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS) held their Open Houses at NUST. Read more
30 April 2019
Iomass Utilisation by Sustainable Harvest (bush) Project Launched
On the 2nd of April 2019, the Biomass Utilisation by Sustainable Harvest (BUSH) Project was officially launched at NUST. The project focusses on technology development, applied research and capacity development in Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation through multi-disciplinary skills. Bush encroachment is one of the key agricultural challenges in Namibia, and the initiative is focussed on finding solutions to these national problems. Read more
Hats off to the Newest PhD Graduates at Nust!
We live in a time where the phrase ‘social media’ has no direct translation in any of our African languages. This achievement is my humble attempt to put it on the map of career options in Africa. To have made history as the youngest PhD graduate to come out of NUST. Read more
Towards a Smarter Campus
NUST had launched a new Mobile Application known as a ChatBot, which is set to revolutionise the way the Institution attends to queries. This App is an automated platform which users can converse with via audio or text. The idea was born out of a longstanding partnership between NUST and AdaptIT, a South African IT solutions company. Read more
Using Remote Sensing to Monitor Soil Erosion
Recently, Kalla Immanuel , a Bachelor of Communication third-year student held a Q and A session with Miguel Vallejo, a researcher and lecturer from the Department of Geo-Spatial Sciences and Technology. This interview forms part of a series in which researchers at the Institution are given the opportunity to highlight key aspects of their projects. Read more
31 March 2019
Will Your Career Choice be Relevant in Future?
According to a World Economic Forum article titled ‘5 ways students can graduate fully qualified for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,’ there are a number of questions students and learners need to ask themselves before choosing a career. Read more
NUST and NamWater Monitor Water Transportation Schemes
A team of metallurgy and corrosion engineering staff from the University are currently working closely with staff from the Namibia Water Cooperation (NamWater). The collaboration is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by both parties, aimed at monitoring water transportation schemes in the Erongo Region. Read more
28 February 2019
Improving Pedagogy – Learning to Teach
The third group of NUST lecturers has enrolled for the Institution’s Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme. The course is aimed at enhancing pedagogical skills and offering lecturers learning experiences. Read more
Public Private Partnerships Under Spotlight
The Faculty of Human Sciences and the Department of International Relations at NUST hosted a panel discussion on “Public Private Partnership (PPS): Leveraging PPPs as a Vehicle for Development,” last week. The event was held in collaboration with PwC Namibia, The Namibian Newspaper, and B360 Education Partnerships. Read more
31 December 2018
Nation Building Through Research and Innovation
“Research and innovation excellence remain one of the capstone drivers in the growth and development of any nation. We are already in the midst of Industry 4.0, also referred to as the 4th Industrial Revolution. As Industry 4.0 continues to change the way we interact with the world around us, new challenges arise…” Read more
31 October 2018
So Many Graduates, Yet Few Jobs
With the number of unemployed graduates projected to soar in the coming years, Namibian Employers’ Federation Secretary General Tim Parkhouse says Namibia skills mismatch is the single biggest cause for the high number of unemployed graduates. Read more
30 September 2018
Education Experts Discuss Transformation of Teacher Education
Teacher preparation should be based on the latest empirical evidence and not on how we were taught decades ago… Read more
Gigantic Partnership
Two of the country’s largest public institutions, UNAM and NBC signed an MOU this week that will strengthen cooperation between academia and the public. Read more
Oshakati Campus Stimulates Research Output
In an effort to upsurge research undertakings, the Northern campuses of UNAM held an intra-research seminar, targeting resident staff of Oshakati Campus, those at Hifikepunye Pohamba and Ogongo Campuses, respectively. Read more
Techcamp Declares War on Cybercrime
The Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI), with support from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programme (IIP), and the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, hosted the first-ever TechCamp in Namibia under the theme “Cybersecurity for Everyone”. The event took place from 17 to 19 September in Windhoek. Read more
The Accidental Scientist
A new lecturer, specialising in Radiobiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Namibia, Dr Roswita Hamunyela, says she originally wanted to study Tourism. Read more
31 August 2018
Bridging the Experience Gap
The University of Namibia, under its Cooperative Education Unit, recently initiated a two-day workshop on Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Read more
Research Matters for Namibia
The University of Namibia cares about relevant research that effects the lives of ordinary Namibians, their health, wealth and the environment. Read more
30 June 2018
Nored Honours Students at Ogongo Campus Awards Ceremony
Each year, Ogongo Campus organises an Annual Awards Ceremony to celebrate the previous year’s academic achievements and most significantly to recognise and reward students for exceptional work done in their respective study programmes. Read more
31 May 2018
Conference of African studies inaugurated
The University of Namibia (Unam) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) hosted the inaugural conference of the International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission on African Studies last week from May 17-18 at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management. Read more
Budget cuts threaten tertiary education – Minister
The Namibian tertiary education sector faces a serious threat of termination of critical programmes and erosion of the quality of tertiary education, which may lead to a reduction in the new student intakes if the severe cuts in the national budget allocation continues in the next financial year. Read more
Healthnet Solutions Sponsorship
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”… Read more
30 April 2018
Mbumba Bids Farewell to Prof Hangula with a Standing Ovation
The chancellor of the University of Namibia (Unam) and Namibia’s vice-president, Nangolo Mbumba, has bid farewell to Professor Lazarus Hangula with a standing ovation at his last graduation ceremony as Unam vice-chancellor. Read more
Budget Cuts Threaten Tertiary Education – Minister
The Namibian tertiary education sector faces a serious threat of termination of critical programs and erosion of the quality of tertiary education, which may lead to a reduction in the new student intakes if the severe cuts in the national budget allocation continues in the next financial year. Read more
Namibia Lacks Maritime Educational Institutions
Namibia currently has no institution that provides dedicated education and training in maritime fields at bachelor or postgraduate degree level. Read more
Education is Our New Dawn Namibia
What exactly is education? Education can be defined as a process of acquiring knowledge. Education is a social process; education is growth; education is progressive; education is liberating; education is freedom, yes, a mind set free. Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself (John Dewey). Read more
30 December 2017
Best Researchers of the Year Awarded
A lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering has once again been named the Institutional Established Researcher of the Year and as well as the Overall Established Researcher in his Faculty. Read more
Emerging Technologies in Library Services
The 2nd International Association of University Libraries’ (IATUL) Directors’ Summit was held in Windhoek recently. The event offers a platform for discussion on challenges university libraries are facing and for the overall development of library services. Read more
Hangula reflects on 24 years at UNAM
As the long-serving University of Namibia (UNAM) Vice Chancellor, Lazarus Hangula (LH), prepares for his exit, he is content that he has done his best to leave behind a strong
viable academic institution that also has the capacity to become a promising commercial entity that will, in the long run, help empower the university to augment its Treasury appropriated income. Read more
New NQA Council Appointed
The minister of higher education implored the council to take cognisance of and play a critical role in high-priority areas such as decision-making, which should be timeous in the best interests of the nation, and taken without fear or favour; resoluteness in the execution of fiduciary duties as individuals and as a collective; new human resources development; and maintaining an ethical corporate governance culture. Read more
NSFAF Plays Hide and Seek
The management of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) failed to attend a parliamentary hearing, causing it to be postponed. Read more
Unam Loses Out On Foreign Partnerships
The University of Namibia (UNAM) had planned this year to introduce several courses in architecture and anaesthetics, but these (and other) programmes have since been put on hold due to budgetary constraints. Read more
30 October 2017
Govt Neglects NSFAF
The broke Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) this month requested around N$630 million from government to pay out student loans, but had only received N$43 million. Read more
IUM and the Pharmaceutical Society of Namibia (PSN) Sign a Memorandum of Agreement
IUM and the Pharmaceutical Society of Namibia (PSN) signed a Memorandum of Agreement to jointly offer a Certificate in Pharmacist’s Assistant. Read more
Maritime Studies at NUST
A partnership between the Namibian University of Science and Technology, the Satakuntta University of Applied Sciences and the Namibia Marine and Fisheries Institute will see the development of a degree programmer in Maritime studies at NUST. Read more
NUST SMSes Demand Students Pay Up
Government-funded students have been receiving SMSes from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, demanding they pay their outstanding fees before year-end exams start. Read more
Unam Students Must Pay 50% of Fees to Write
University of Namibia students with outstanding fees will be allowed to write their examinations on condition that 50%of their tuition fees are paid. Read more
What are soft skills?
Unlike hard skills, which can be proved and measured, soft skills are intangible and difficult to quantify. Read more
Why Fund Higher Education? Who Gets What, When And Why?
Why is society or, in bureaucratic-speak, ‘taxpayers’ money’ spent on an exercise that seems so expensive? Read more
Why Not Lighten The NSFAF Load?
Why are Government funds being paid to a middleman tertiary education funding institution (NSFAF) that then pays that same money to State owned universities?
15 October 2017
Eenhana Energises Vocational Training
The Eenhana Town Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC) to provide experiential, on-the-job learning to students studying at the centre. Read more
Important Soft Skills
When applying for a job, many people tend to emphasize their hard skills – the specific knowledge and abilities required for a particular job. Read more
Namwandi Challenges IUM Critics
The Founder of the International University of Management (IUM) and former Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, David Namwandi, says he is disappointed in critics who still think that the university is a sub-standard institution, despite all the progress it has made over the years. Read more
Teacher Vacancies Ready Soon
The education ministry has apologised for the delay in the posting of teaching vacancies but said the temporary inconvenience was necessary in order for the ministry to comply with government orders to trim unnecessary expenditure. Read more
“Training Teachers Is Vitally Important”
Education, the cornerstone of growth and development, needs vibrant, committed and well-trained teachers or it will never work. Teachers with clear goals, plans, insights, passion and vision steer learners to success. Read more
Unam Needs Bodies
The University of Stellenbosch will not supply the Unam School of Medicine with cadavers from next year and Namibian law makes no provision for people to donate their bodies to science. Read more
30 September 2017
Civil Engineering Degree Gains International Accreditation
The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) Degree recently earned the globally recognised ASIIN accreditation. This degree programme has become the only one in Africa in its field to earn this recognition. Read more
Partners in Renewable Energy
The Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) held a meeting with Virginia Baker who serves as the Global and Sub-Saharan Director for Getenergy Events. Read more
Promoting Internationalisation In Higher Education
Scores of students attended the fifth International Education Day (IED) on the NUST campus, which was held to inform and educate students about the significance of gaining international exposure, and being a well-rounded global citizen. Read more
15 September 2017
Available Scholarships for Prospective Students
For most pupils, financial problems tend to crush or at least delay their dreams of going to their desired institutions of higher learning to pursue their tertiary education as they cannot afford the forever skyrocketing university tuition fees. Read more
Education Should Respond to Industrial Needs
Namibia can only enhance its basic and high-level education and develop a well-educated skilled and innovative labour force if its education responds to the industrial needs. Read more
International Accreditation for Architecture Programmes
The NUST Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning (DASP) has once again been granted unconditional validation status for its Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture Honours programmes. The said Department offers programmes in Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Town and Regional Planning, and Regional and Rural Development. Read more
Lack of Funds Delays Payments – NSFAF
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund says it is experiencing problems in the payment of student loans because of a shortage of funds. Read more
Making a Positive Impact on the Economy
More than 15 papers were presented at this year’s Faculty of Management Sciences Research Day. Whilst some of the papers focused on the economic activities of a number of countries, most of the research aimed at making a positive impact on the local economy. Read more
NUST Lecturer Selected To Conduct Research On Mercedes
A Computer Science Lecturer at NUST and alumnus of the Institution, has been selected by Daimler AG in Germany to undertake a PhD degree in Computer Science through the “Mission to Mars” project. Read more
NUST to Celebrate International Education Day
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is hosting its fifth International Education Day at its campus. Read more
NUST to Certify Oracle Professionals
The Namibia University of Science and Technology is now an authorised Oracle Workforce Development Partner. The Oracle Workforce Development Programme is an Oracle University programme. Read more
Welcome to the Land of the Brave
NUST is hosting international exchange students from the University of Applied Sciences and Art Dortmund, Germany and the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. Read more
When a Degree Means Nothing
The days when colleges and universities were only accessible to the rich and elite are over. Higher education has become more affordable and a lot of pressure has been put on students to obtain a university qualification in order to find a good job. Read more
31 August 2017
Certification of NUST Lecturers Continues
The second group of 50 NUST lecturers has enrolled for the Institution’s Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme, aimed at advancing pedagogical skills and offering lecturers learning experiences of the highest quality. Read more
Education’s Impact on the Knowledge Economy
The Commonwealth Education Conference was held earlier this week in Windhoek. The event was hosted by the Commonwealth, the University of Namibia (Unam) and the National Council for Higher Education. Read more
Good Rank for Namibia in higher education
Namibia has been ranked among the countries with a high participation in higher education through open and distance learning (tertiary level entrants) on the African continent. Read more
How Schools Are Shaping Minds and Saving Lives in East and Southern Africa
Just as schools are foundational to preparing young people academically, they are also a crucial source in ensuring a student’s health and well-being. Read more
IUM Hosts World Entrepreneurs Day
The privately owned International University of Management (IUM) yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Entrepreneurs Day with hundreds of students in attendance at the university’s main campus in Dorado Park in Windhoek. Read more
Tech Stations to Accelerate SMME Growth and Drive Economic Development
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development recently hosted representatives from various technology stations in South Africa to discuss how Namibia could benefit from the establishment of technology stations, science parks and innovation hubs to foster technology development, stimulate innovation, and drive economic development. Read more
15 August 2017
Bureaucracy Could Restrain Education Initiative
Stakeholders have expressed concern that bureaucracy could impede the smooth success of the Friends of Education in Namibia Special Initiative (FENSI), which will be centred and administered from Windhoek. Read more
Faculty of IT Designs MyIUM Learning Management System
A technical team of four lecturers and students from the Faculty of Information Technology and Systems Administration is in its final stage of implementing its own designed software, named MyIUM Learning Management System. Read more
IUM Launches PhD by Research Programme
A recent significant landmark in the history of IUM was the official launch of its Research based PhD programme. The programme was launched by Dr. David R. Namwandi, Founder and Chair of the IUM Governing Council. Read more
Let’s Train Plumbers, Electricians and Hairdressers
Higher Education, Training and Innovation Minister Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi says Namibia would not be able to attain the development goals articulated in Vision 2030 if the country does not train artisans such as builders, auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians and hairdressers who are the people needed to grow the national economy. Read more
Strengthening Research at IUM
IUM recently revamped its Research Department with a revised Research and Consultancy Policy which will be launched soon. The policy provides, among others, details of the research strategy and how research will be managed at the University for the next five (5) years. Read more
15 July 2017
Architecture Students Make Their Mark in the City
Seventy (70) students from the Department of Architecture embarked on a one-week workshop known as the Vertical Studio Programme. The content of the Programme, which was introduced for the first time, goes beyond the scope of the core curriculum that students need to master. Read more
New MBA Students Welcomed
A cohort of 28 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students were inducted into the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business. Read more
NUST Facilities impresses UNESCO delegates
A delegation of about 30 participants of the recently held United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) workshop called the ‘Women on The Frontier of Science and Innovation in Africa,’ toured the NUST campus. Read more
Petroleum Upstream Seminar
Eighty (80) participants from the academia and industry attended a half-day Petroleum Upstream Seminar initiated by the Centre for Oil and Gas (COG). Read more
Share Best Practices
More than 14 papers were presented at this year’s Research Day for the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI). The Faculty’s research areas are currently focussed on indigenous knowledge, big data, smart and secure environments and digital transformation. Read more
30 June 2017
Funds Shortage Forces Arts College to Cut Courses
More than 150 students from the College of the Arts in Windhoek marched to protest the suspension of four courses because of a lack of funds to pay lecturers. Read more
Our Demands Are Not Met – COTA Students
Disgruntled students at the Namibian College of the Arts (COTA) said the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has not met their demands made in a petition submitted to the ministry. Read more
The Namibian’s Critical Thinking Competition 2017
The atmosphere was energetic and exciting at the recent Critical Thinking Competition hosted by The Namibian in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Namibia Schools Debating Association (NSDA). And Rundu couldn’t have been prouder. Read more
Venaani Proposes Subsidised Transport for Students
DTA president McHenry Venaani on Tuesday proposed that there must be a subsidised transport programme for tertiary students. Read more
Zambezi Education Foundation Awards Best Achievers
The Zambezi Education Foundation – established last year with the main aim of improving the quality of education in the Zambezi Region – recently awarded certificates, medals and floating trophies to the region’s best achievers who excelled during the 2016 academic year. Read more
15 June 2017
COTA Suspends Courses over Budget Cuts
The Namibian College of the Arts (COTA) is about to can some of its courses, shut classrooms and send home more than 100 registered students in their first and second academic year. Read more
Campus as an Academic Space
When students at the University of Namibia staged their initial demonstration over the alleged delay in the opening of the cafeteria and the old entrance gate earlier this year, one of their notable demands was that the university provides enough study facilities. Read more
Funds Shortage Forces Arts College to Cut Courses
More than 150 students from the College of the Arts in Windhoek marched to protest the suspension of four courses because of a lack of funds to pay lecturers. Read more
NUST Well-Represented at Conference in USA
A cohort of 13 postgraduate students and staff from the Faculty of Computing and Informatics recently attended the Association for Computing Machinery Computer-Human Interaction (ACM CHI 2017) Conference, in the United States of America (USA). Read more
Promoting Multi-Disciplinary Skills Among Women
NUST’s Fabrication Laboratory (FABlab), launched a multi-disciplinary pilot student exchange programme in partnership with the Durban University of Science and Technology ( DUT). The project focuses on female students, with the objective to uplift women in fields that are commonly male-dominated. Read more
Transport and Logistic Society Explores Durban Waters
A group of 63 students from the Faculty of Management Sciences visited the Maritime School of Excellence (MSOE) in Durban, South Africa. Read more
15 May 2017
Education Officials Trained On Media Literacy
Representatives from four regions, being Hardap, Khomas, Omaheke and //Karas attended the workshop. The three-day workshop, which ended on Wednesday, was organised by Unesco, and aims at training senior teachers and librarians on the ability to meaningfully engage the media and information channels in whatever form and technologies they are using. Read more
Kalimbwe Released
UNAM’s SRC leader Joseph Kalimbwe appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court today and was granted N$1000 bail. Read more
Kavango East Want Colleges of Education Back
The Windhoek, Rundu, Ongwediva and Caprivi education colleges were merged with Unam when government phased out the basic education teaching diploma in 2012 and introduced a compulsory bachelor of education degree. Read more
Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation
Minister of Education, please come to our rescue – we, the trainees of WVTC are tired of going to the centre every day for our Level 3 supplementary results. What is wrong with the NTA? Read more
Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation
Minister of Higher Education, please come and investigate the staff at Gobabis Vocational Training Centre. The offices are always empty and even the phones are never answered. They must rather stay at home if they don’t want to work so that other dedicated people can be employed. Read more
NDF Medical Students Stranded in Russia, Ukraine
Army officers studying medicine in Russia and the Ukraine are financially stranded because their allowances from government have not been paid since March this year. Read more
Student Risk Missing Exams Due to Loan Delay
Some students may not sit for examinations later this month because the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has not paid or issued award letters. Read more
Unam Students Threaten to Break Into Cafeteria
UNAM had to call the Windhoek City Police on Saturday after some students threatened to break into a cafeteria and the old library to study. Read more
Unam Makes Empty Promises
Expelled Unam student leader Joseph Kalimbwe says the institution’s management has been giving them empty promises, and expelled four of them to silence them. Read more
30 April 2017
Benefits of Technology in Studying
With thousands of gadgets, applications and software surrounding us each and every day, it can be easy sometimes to lose yourself in the digital world. Although many often make known the negative effects of technology, there’s no doubt it enriches many lives and enlightens the ones who make positive use of it. Read more
Entrepreneurship Workshop for the Region
After the successful hosting of the student entrepreneurs programme (SEP) conference in Windhoek on 18 and 19 April, higher education deputy minister Becky Ndjoze-Ojo met governors from the 14 regions to discuss the entrepreneurship regional workshop penciled in for June. Read more
Geingob Engages NUST Graduates
President Hage Geingob yesterday stressed that for Namibia to develop, its citizens should become more innovative, technologically advanced and embrace science and research in a more applied manner. Read more
Geingob Encourages Graduates to become Leaders
All of you must become leaders and opinion makers at home, at work, nationally and internationally. Read more
Geingos Stresses Importance of Education
First Lady Monica Geingos has encouraged student entrepreneurs to distance themselves from corruption at the opening of the two-day Student Entrepreneurs Programme (SEP) organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation at a resort in Windhoek. Read more
Ghanaian Entrepreneur Inspires Students
Business ideas can be found everywhere but they are meaningless if consumers do not accept them. Read more
15 March 2017
Business Not Contributing Enough to Research
The business sector is contributing a mere 11% to research and development in the country, a figure regarded as being very low. Read more
Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation
The Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, kindly come and visit the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre – when the school reopened. Read more
Re-Thinking Housing and Urbanisation
The second Public Forum on Namibia’s Urban Future was held recently with the aim to provide a cross-institutional platform to explore, analyse and debate urbanization in Namibia. The event, attended by housing and urbanisation experts, as well as the general public, was initiated in 2015 with NUST as the host institution. Read more
The Unending Labyrinth of Exam Failures
We cannot lower the bar or eliminate tests and lie to ourselves that we are actually improving the educational and skills levels of young Namibians. Read more
Vocational Education in Namibia
Vocational education refers to a system or course of study which prepares individuals for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities. Vocational education is non-academic by tradition, it is specifically trade, occupation or vocation oriented. Read more
Women’s Strength in Engineering
Women engineers are achieving and there is no denying it. They are around us, they are strong-willed individuals and their ingenuity keeps them going. They are special women doing prominent things to pave the way for others who want to follow suit. Read more
31 January 2017
IUM on Strategic Re-Alignment
As part of the International University of Management (IUM)’s growth strategy, the privately owned university plans to transform its Swakopmund campus into a Research, Consultancy and Short Course Centre of high repute and construct a regional academic campus in Walvis Bay, which has a larger student population and is better equipped to handle a greater number of students. Read more
Namcol Introduces Block Tuition
As part of its strategy to increase the pass-rate among its learners, the Namibia College of Open Learning (NamcoL) has introduced a block tuition system. Read more
Nanso Threatens Action over High Tuition Fees
The Namibian student organization, Nanso, says should the University of Namibia deny its members access to tertiary education due to high registration and tuition fees, they would not hesitate to act. Read more
NTA Collects N$800m in Training Levy
The Namibia Training Authority collected N$809 million from 2 703 employers at the end of 2016. Addressing the media in Windhoek yesterday, higher education minister, Itah Kandjii-Murangi said 50% of the levy is paid back to employers based on evidence that they had trained their employees. Read more
Orphans’ Opportunity to Apply For Scholarship
Japanese-based organisation, Ashinaga Africa Initiative 2017 and the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund are giving Namibian orphans the opportunity to apply for a scholarship. Read more
Repeaters Advised To Use Private Colleges
The permanent secretary of Education, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp says Grade 10 and 12 repeaters that failed to secure space at Namcol can also make use of private learning institutions. Read more
Tertiary Institutions Urged To Comply With Admission Criteria
There is a general concern that some of the institutions of higher learning in the country are lowering their admission criteria, a situation seen by many as compromising the quality of education and ultimately undermining the requirements of the job market. Read more
Thousands to Miss Out on Namcol
The dreams of thousands of young people hoping to repeat Grade 12 this year will be dashed, because Namcol is unable to register all the people that failed to obtain the necessary grades for entry to tertiary institutions. Read more
Veya Opens Doors to NUST Interns
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has signed an agreement with Veya Information Technologies whereby the latter will accommodate students through a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme.
Vocational Education Graduate Establishes Thriving Firm
Ongwediva-Vocational education has birthed a Namibian company that currently employs 180 salaried workers. The firm called Water Engineering Africa has its headquarters in Ongwediva – however its areas of operation are not only confined to the north but spread throughout the country. Read more
VTCs Offer Much-Needed Skills
Simeon Haihambo, the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary for education, pioneer movement and culture, is encouraging learners who could not secure places in Grade 11 and tertiary institutions to enrol at various vocational centres across the country. Read more
Whose Curriculum, and for Whom?
Our country is again thrust into the debate about what is wrong with our education system after the release of Grade 10 and Grade 12 examination results. Read more
15 November 2016
Distance Learning an Affordable Option
As technology has changed, so has the definition of distance learning, videotaped lectures or audio tapes have been used in tertiary education around the world for many years. Read more
Huge Recognition for NQA Boss
The head of the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) Franz Gertze has been selected to serve on the board of directors of an international organisation with a 280-strong membership and which deals with the practice of quality assurance in higher education. Read more
Namibia Signs Agreement with Belarus
Namibia and Belarus have agreed to exchange information on technological, financial, educational, training and scientific capabilities. Read more
Technology Vital For Cultural Heritage
The Minister of Information and Technology, has appealed to government, academia, civil society partners and local communities to work together to ensure that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is applied to the cultural and creative sectors to contribute to more effective and sustainable development programmes in Namibia. Read more
University Not Only the Road to Education
Education comes in many forms, but here in Namibia we all still aspire to attending some form of tertiary education. The University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) of course spring to mind. Read more
31 October 2016
China-Trained Clinical Medicine Students Return
The first eight medical students who completed their studies in clinical medicine in China with funding from the Namibia-China Loving Heart Organisation (NCLHO), have returned home to serve their country. Read more
Distance Learning Has Massive Potential
Open and distance learning (ODL) has the potential to contribute and positively impact the lives of many Namibians, as it grants learners access to quality education especially those in remote areas. Read more
Gain Work Experience with the CATS Programme
Imagine that after four long years, you have finally gotten your degree. Your course, however, has not allowed you any internship training and the job you’re looking for requires three years of experience in the job market. So what next? Read more
Higher Education Is ‘Not a Privilege’
The DTA has criticised the government and the University of Namibia following student protest that disrupted exams for two days. Read more
Just Pay Up, Minister Tells Students
It has become a habit for students not to pay. They wait until the last two weeks, and hope that we will allow them to write the exams. But the institution can only render quality education if they pay. Read more
Private University in the Pipeline
Plans to set up a private university through a joint venture next year in Windhoek are being kept under wraps, as negotiations with international universities are said to be underway. Read more
Unam Southern Campus Records Growth
The Unam Southern Campus is the university’s fastest-growing campus and is currently ranked 5th out of the 12 Unam campuses in terms of student enrolment. Read more
Student Leader Advises Fellows to Prepare Well
23-year-old student at the University of Namibia (Unam), Kun-Hilde Imvula, is advising fellow students to study hard in preparation for the final examinations. Read more
Student Nurses Demand Payment of Study Loans
Irate students from Oshakati Regional Health Training Centre say their unemployed and lowly paid parents are forced to borrow money to pay their tuition fees because their study loans have not been paid. Read more
Tertiary Fees Time Bomb Ticks
Since South African students took to the streets to demonstrate against university fees, there have been mixed feelings as far as the students’ action is concern. Read more
The State of Education in Namibia
It has been a whirlwind of a year for Namibia in terms of education. Thanks to the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa, outrage was felt in the heart of Namibian students as they protested over fees in the #VarsityLockdown struggle earlier this year, in part leading to the teacher’s strike recently. Read more
30 September 2016
Best Uukule Learner Says Learning Is Simple and Easy
Although the road to knowledge may have obstacles, learning is simple and easy, says the best learner at Uukule Senior Secondary School in the Onyaanya Constituency of Oshikoto Region, Martha Amunyela. Read more
PM Calls for Courageous Graduates
The Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged International University of Management students to remain courageous and strong, as they face the challenge of breaking into the job market, after graduating. Read more
Namibia Rises One Place in Competitiveness
Access to financing, followed by an inadequately educated workforce and inefficient government bureaucracy, are listed in the report as the most problematic factors for doing business in Namibia. Read more
NCHE Received an International Star Award for Quality
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Geneva, Switzerland, received an International Star Award for Quality in the Gold Category from the Spain-based Business Initiative Directions (BID) for Commitment to Quality, Leadership, Technology and Innovation in pursuit of excellence. Read more
Search for Stand-in Teachers is Illegal-Labour Expert Warns the Government
The government’s attempt to replace striking teachers is unlawful and could incite anger and violence, says labour expert. Read more
Students Shine at World skills
The overall winner of the WorldSkills Namibia competition might be going to study in South Korea at one of the technical colleges there, sponsored by the South Korean government, on an all-expenses paid basis for three years. Read more
You Have Until Today – Teachers Warn
Teachers in Khomas Region yesterday vented their anger over what they termed ‘delaying tactics’ by government regarding their wage demands, and have given their employer until today to finalise the strike rules. Read more
15 September 2016
242 Artisans Graduate from RVTC
The Rundu Vocational Training Centre on Friday awarded certificates to 242 graduates, who successfully completed their training in various technical trades, enabling them to become skilled workmen. Read more
Bogus Training Institutions to Face the Music
The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the line ministry is in the process of amending one of its Acts which will make accreditation compulsory for institutions offering training courses and unrecognised qualifications to students. Read more
Engineer Refuses To Supervise Black Trainee
A registered engineer, told trainee engineer that he will not supervise her because she is black and the government wants to drive out whites from the country. Read more
Ministry Won’t Bail Out Unam Defaulters
The Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation says it will not overrule the University of Namibia’s plan to bar students who owe money from writing exams. Read more
Monique Kröhne on The Road to Harvard
Finding the right university can be a difficult task, especially if the institution of your choice does not have the course you are looking for. Read more
Revised Education Act to be Tabled Soon
This comes after the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture reviewed the Education Act of 2001 to harmonise it with the latest developments and current needs of the education system. Read more
Tjivikua on NUST’s Role in Technical Education
University of Science and Technology (NUST) vice-chancellor, says there is a need to train instructors in technical education didactics for the effective transfer of skills. Read more
University of Namibia Opens Campus Expansion Contest
The University of Namibia (UNAM) has launched an open international competition to expand its Katima Mulilo campus. Read more
Will You Lose Your Job To A Robot?
The fields of arts and science may end up as the last bastions of human occupations, as new technologies render certain jobs obsolete. Read more
31 August 2016
NUST to Host Second Programming Contest
New ground was explored when the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)’s Faculty of Computing and Informatics hosted an exciting two-day programming competition. Read more
Unam Students Learn About Road Safety
The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and the University of Namibia (Unam) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a view to raising awareness about road safety among students and to benefit road safety institutions through the research support of tertiary institutions. Read more
Vocational Training Enjoys Emphasis
Central to the development agenda of developing countries is the strengthening and capacity building of technical and vocational education and training. Read more
31 July 2016
Lock the Board Chairmen Up
There were media reports of N$2 million that was ‘found’ to be missing from the Marine Resources Fund. Read more
More NUST Programmes Accredited
NUST received Certificates of Accreditation for eight programmes from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in consultation with the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA). Read more
Namibia Must Improve on Education and Training
In light of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNESCO delegations visiting the country, the Windhoek Observer’s recently had a one on one interview with the Head of Office and Representative of UNESCO to Namibia, to touch base on the mission’s findings. Read more
NCHE Lauded for Critical Development Role
The critical role played by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in the country’s development was once again emphasised last week, when the quality assurance body awarded certificates of registration to six private higher education institutions in Windhoek. Read more
Training In White Meat Production
The love for white meat and the prevailing drought has pushed retired teacher Amon Uiseb to start a company with the hope of training Namibians in pig, chicken and aquaculture farming. Read more
15 July 2016
Govt Rescues Engineers
The government has directed three ministries to facilitate the placement of engineering graduates and students for internships which will be paid by the state. Read more
Marginalised Students Perform Poorly at Tertiary Level
The Deputy Minister of Marginalised Communities, has expressed concern over the poor performance of students from marginalised communities at tertiary institutions. Read more
Namport Opens Purse to Fund 25 Tertiary Students
Namibia, according to Vision 2030, will transition into an industrialised and globally competitive country offering equal opportunity and realising its maximum growth potential in a sustainable manner, with improved quality of life for all Namibians. Read more
30 June 2016
Kandjii-Murangi Tackles NSFAF Woes
The Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation is set to meet with the management of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to discuss the reported infighting and power struggles at the institution. Read more
Loan Holders Left Stranded in Russia
About 50 Namibian students in Russia have been left stranded with no means of returning home after completing their studies, and face deportation to their home country. Read more
Namibia Higher Education Gets Reviewed
The country whose population is just above 2.2 million still has a vast shortage of skills needed to deal with poverty and inequalities largely because the education being offered does not prepare the graduates for real life situations. Read more
NSFAF Lost Data While Relocating
Higher education minister said the beleaguered Namibian Students’ Financial Assistance Fund could have lost data files while relocating to the new premises. Read more
NUST to Host Indian IT Centre
The Namibia University of Science and Technology will host the centre of excellence on information technology which will soon be set up by the Indian government. Read more
Unam Fires Deputy Dean
The University of Namibia has dismissed its deputy dean of students following a drawn-out suspension over alleged irregularities. Read more
15 June 2016
IUM and NCCI Talk to Tackle Skills Gaps
In attempt to fill the plug in the existing gaps in the labour market in order to produce demand-driven graduates, the International University of Management (IUM) and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry met to explore ways in which the two institutions can collaborate. Read more
Notes from Educators’ Conference
The challenges facing our education system are real and daunting. But the experience was electric and inspiring. And the presentations and discussions were far-reaching. Read more
No Refunds for NSFAF Students
Beneficiaries of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) have never received refunds. Read more
NSFAF Bosses Hit the Jackpot
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) board members who were appointed in January last year have been claiming sitting fees like never before. Read more
NUST Opens Online Radio Station
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) recently opened its online radio station, NUST FM, to serve as a source of information and entertainment for its students and host communities. Read more
15 May 2016
Govt to Assist Graduates Get Jobs
Prime Minister has expressed government’s commitment to ensure graduates in the country are absorbed into the labour market. Read more
Government to Help 3 000 Under-Qualified Teachers
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has introduced measures to help elevate unqualified and underqualified teachers currently on its books to start with tailor-made in-service training to help them upgrade their credentials. Read more
HP Unam Campus ‘Now Safe For Students’
The University of Namibia’s Hifikepunye Pohamba campus in Ongwediva, which was one of the focal areas of concern for operation, is now considered safe. Read more
NSFAF in Deeper Trouble
An independent auditing firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, says the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund failed to provide documents to verify the loans and scholarships they issued. Read more
NSFAF Explains Changes to Payments System
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has a new payment system because the old system gave problems. Read more
NUST Makes Progress with Student Debt
Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) says no student whose accounts are in arrears by end of June will be allowed to write examinations. Read more
Unam to Introduce School of Architecture
The University of Namibia (Unam) is in the process of setting up a School of Architecture. Read more
30 April 2016
Conservation Research Station Opened at Impalila
The University of Namibia (Unam) Katima Mulilo campus on Monday launched a biodiversity conservation and tourism development research project station at the Impalila Island. Read more
Fewer Graduate from Unam at Katima
Katima Mulilo Unam Campus registered its lowest number of graduates in recent years, as only 45 students – both in upper and lower primary degree courses. Read more
Higher Education to be Reviewed
Higher education minister said they are reviewing the technical, vocational and training components of the higher education system in Namibia. Read more
NSFAF Cannot Account for Billions
The latest Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund audit report shows that the institution failed to account for more than N$2,7 billion between 2009 and 2010. Read more
Nam Student Designs Reusable Menstrual Cup
It is estimated that some girls in Africa miss up to 10% of their education due to menstruation because they don’t have access to the right items to make them feel clean and comfortable. Read more
NUST to Help Solve Water and Sanitation Problems
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Seecon International GMBH. Read more
Unam Gets Land to Expand Katima Campus
The Katima Mulilo Town Council has donated land to the University of Namibia for the institution to expand its campus. Read more
Unam Produces First−Ever Medical Doctors
The graduation of the first locally trained doctors is a declaration to the world that Namibia is slowly but surely moving away from being dependent on other countries’ expertise. Read more
15 April 2016
136 Namibians Pursue Vocational Training in SADC
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has finally made it possible for students who did not obtain university admission grades in Grade 12 and those with Grade 10 to receive technical and vocational fields in other SADC countries. Read more
A Job or University?
In most cases, the consequences of our decisions are unpredictable if we do not evaluate and analyse the results of our decisions in the long term. Read more
NUST First Graduation Later This Month
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) will soon have its first graduation ceremony where over 1 000 students will graduate with qualifications from various faculties. Read more
NUST to Recover Student Debts
Following a students’ victory in January against the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) over registration and tuition fees this year that saw student registering for free, NUST has now started debt recovery from students with the end of April as deadline. Read more
Questionable Bursary Funding
Namibians are largely involved in self-enriching scandals and the awarding of educational loans this year was biased. Read more
Unam Downplays Library Flood Damage
The University of Namibia (Unam) has dismissed reports that a water leakage in the library at its main campus caused considerable damage to books and computers. Read more
1 April 2016
Amukoto Advises Fellows to Take Education Serious
One of the smartest students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), is advising all young people to pay more attention to their studies as education is the key to success. Read more
Aspiring Medical Student Appeals for Funding
The future of a young Namibian man looks bleak as he struggles to raise funds for his studies at a medical school in Russia. Read more
Logistics Research Seminar Series Launched
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) based Namibian-German Centre for Logistics (NGCL) launched a research seminar series this week as part of its drive to join global university rankings. Read more
15 March 2016
NUST on Autopilot
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has been without a council for more than four months, thereby making vice chancellor very powerful. Read more
Youth Seek Prime Minister’s Help
SIX Namibian graduates from a Cuban university yesterday told Prime Minister that they cannot find jobs. Read more
29 February 2016
Haufiku on Issues confronting UNAM
The University of Namibia (Unam), the largest public tertiary institution in Namibia, has of late been involved in various issues ranging from student protests, appointments of locals into leadership jobs, as well as axing some of its senior officials for alleged tender fraud. Read more
Out of Protocol – Fees Must Fall
NAMIBIAN academic institutions and our higher education establishment would do well to learn the lessons of the ‘Fees Must Fall’ protests in South Africa. Read more
15 February 2016
IUM Launch Centre for Institutional Improvement and Performance
A new Centre for Institutional Improvement and Performacne (CIIP) has opened at the International University of Management (IUM) to meet the growing demand for quality executive and professional training locally. Read more
Nampower Awards 21 Bursaries
As a responsible corporate citizen NamPower contributes immensely to the education of young Namibians. The allocation of new bursaries annually forms part of NamPower’s contribution and commitment to the education sector. Read more
Southern Campus Ready for First Graduates
Six students will this year become the first graduates of Unam Southern campus since its inception in 2014. Read more
Unam Warns Students
The University of Namibia’s vice chancellor, has threatened to expel any student who dares to undemocratically lock down the campus. Read more
January 2016
Govt Clarifies Tertiary Education Fees
Higher Education Minister has clarified that tertiary education in Namibia is not yet free, despite the decision last week to allow university students to register without having to pay a fee. Read more
Grade 12 Results Show 10% Drop in University Admissions
It also shows that the performance, if measured against Namibia’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) desired outcome number two which aims for the increase in the percentage of learners meeting admission requirements to universities on 25 points. Read more
Major Boost for Fablab from USA
The sponsorship, which consists of two commercial licenses and ten educational licenses of a software programme known as SolidWorks, was facilitated by Alex Zavatone who had taught an IOS development course at NUST during late last year. Read more
New Year Ushers in New Higher Education Funding Formula
Namibian higher education funding will be based on a new formula from the 2016-17 academic year. The country now calculates operational funds based on the number of courses, which translate into credit units, for which a student is registered. Read more
No Reprieve for Failed English Students
Learners with an E Symbol in Grade 12 English should not be denied an opportunity to further their studies at tertiary institutions, Education, Arts and Culture Ministry Permanent Secretary Sanet Steenkamp has said. Read more
NUST Students Still Have To Pay
Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Vice Chancellor Professor Tjama Tjivikua yesterday said the university’s registration fees of N$3 500 have not been scrapped, as widely believed, and must be settled before students sit for exams in June. Read more
UNAM Directed To Register Students Unable To Pay
The Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation has directed the University of Namibia (Unam) to allow students to register for the 2016 academic year without having paid a registration fee, specifically those unable afford it. Read more
Students Demo Hits Unam Northern Campus
Operations at the Hifikepunye Pohamba Unam Campus at Ongwediva ground to a halt when students demonstrated against paying registration fees. Read more
December 2015
No University Fee Increase
The Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation has said that it is unaware of proposals to increase tuition fees at the country’s two biggest universities, the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the newly-renamed University of Science and Technology (UST) previously known as the Polytechnic of Namibia, next year. Read more
NTA, GIZ Set to Address Skills Shortage
In the hope of addressing the skills shortage in the country, the Namibia Training Authority and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed a Promotion of Vocational Education and Training (ProVET) agreement. Read more
Teachers need better training in vernaculars
The Secretary-General of the Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) says the education ministry should equip teachers who teach first languages with the right resources. Read more
UNAM Increases Fees
Hot on the heels of violent protests in neighbouring South Africa over university fee hikes, the University of Namibia has announced that come registration 2016, their fees will increase by 7,5%. Read more
November 2015
Geingob orders PM to Sort out Polytechnic The President has instructed Prime Minister to sort out the problems afflicting the leadership of the Polytechnic of Namibia Council. Read more
International Relations Strengthened at NUST Delegations from Germany’s Justus Liebig University (JLU) and South Africa’s North West University (NWU) visited NUST recently to strengthen relations between the three institutions. Read more
NUST Council Booted Out Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation has informed members of The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Council that their term of office will come to an end this month. Read more
Students Should Study and Struggle The vision of that global institution for the African continent is rather a network of privately-owned community colleges instead of universities. Read more
October 2015
Defying the Odds For years now there has been a lot of debate about which tertiary education institution is the best in Namibia. Read more
Government Needs Fixed Funding System Polytechnic of Namibia students might pay 10% more in fees during 2016. In the same vein their counterparts at the University of Namibia could face a fee hike of 15% next year. Read more
Namibia Should Take #FeesMustFall Seriously Namibian academic institutions and the Namibian government would do well to learn the lessons of these #FeesMustFall protests. Read more
Now Unam Wants 15% The Office of the Bursar at the University of Namibia has proposed a 15% increase in student fees for the 2016 academic year. News of the proposed fee hike comes hot on the heels of violent protests in neighbouring South Africa, which saw students taking to the streets to oppose a 10.5% fee hike proposed by universities in that country. Read more
The PhD Rule – A Move in the Right Direction They will not be allowed to stand in front of university students without earned PhD degrees come 2017. Read more
The 20% Solution The recent announcement by President Hage Geingob that he will donate 20 percent of his salary to scholarships and bursaries for students strikes a disheartening chord. Read more
Unam, an Institution in Transition The University of Namibia (Unam) may probably not be the best in the world but it is the best institution in our own context. Read more
September 2015
Graduating from University with Debt For the majority of tertiary students, the loans they take through the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) [and other private loans] actually provide them opportunities which they otherwise would not have to afford their education. Read more
August 2015
Polytechnic Council Needs Help Minister of Higher Education, Innovation and Training says that ministers need to apply their minds when selecting council or board members of academic institutions. Read more
Unam to Lay Off 14 Workers The University of Namibia is undergoing a restructuring exercise that will see 14 workers from the external studies department losing their jobs. Read more
July 2015
Bursaries and Scholarships Available Now For some pupils who are in high school, it is difficult to think of attending a university when finances get in the way. With the rising costs of tertiary education every year, many are forced to abandon their hopes of wearing their first-ever graduation gowns and receiving their degrees in front of their parents and lecturers. Read more
Kraatz Goes Hi-tech With Welding Education Kraatz Marine says it invested more than N$500,000 into the procurement of a welding simulator and other equipment to take welding education and skills development to the next level. Read more
July is Distance Education Month for Southern Business School Southern Business School Namibia is bringing extra focus to higher education in Namibia by providing easy access to prospective students to register for their higher education qualifications in three locations in Namibia. Read more
Vocational Training Key to Economic Growth Higher education, training and innovation minister says technical and vocational training is the main driver for the growth of the national economy. Read more
June 2015
Bill Drags Out Polytech Transformation The renaming and subsequent rebranding of the Polytechnic of Namibia will only take place once the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Bill has been signed into law by the president. Only then will the Polytechnic change its name and status officially. Read more
Kandjii-Murangi Backs UNAM Merger Minister of higher education Itah Kandjii-Murangi says the merging of the four Unam education colleges was introduced to produce quality teachers and will remain in operation. Read more
MAY 2015
The Case for Science Advice It is inconceivable for any government to propose qualitatively-different public policies and approaches to development without access to independent and credible science advice. Science advice is not only of arterial importance to public policy formation and review, but integral to the construct of the knowledge economy itself. Read more
April 2015
Higher Education Needs Transformation The Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, says higher education needs transformation through transparency. Read more
N$1,2m to improve qualifications of lecturers Reports revealed that over N$1,2 million was spent on improving the qualifications of lecturers at the Polytechnic of Namibia as well as the University of Namibia. Read more
March 2015
Namwandi Warns Fly-By-Night Education Institutions Education minister David Namwandi has warned unrecognised educational institutions both locally and abroad that are trying to dilute the Namibian education system that they will be dealt with. Read more
Higher Education Advanced in China The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Namibia and his team have just returned from China after a month-long visit where they took part in seminars on higher education. Read more
Rodney Saul Wins a Year of Free Education at SBS Southern Business School (SBS) Namibia, Omulunga Radio and Fresh FM joined forces in hosting an on-air competition where one lucky winner stood the chance of walking away with a year of free higher education. Read more
UNAM’s Case Against Pomuti Flops Suspended University of Namibia’s Director for the University Central Consultancy Bureau (UCCB) will likely be reinstated in his position after investigations into his alleged misconduct fell flat. Read more
SANORD Conference in Namibia 1-3 December 2015 SANORD (Southern African-Nordic Centre) and the Polytechnic of Namibia (PoN) are proud to announce the next SANORD conference that will be held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 1- 3 December, 2015. Read more
FEBRUARY 2015
New Funding Measures for Tertiary Institutions The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) will oversee the funding formula through the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) that will collect data from all tertiary institutions for computing the estimated subsidies. Read more
Biannual Student Intakes Not Feasible The country’s leading tertiary institutions have dismissed calls for them to have two student intakes a year citing inadequate funding from the government. This is despite the fact that the Ministry of Education received the biggest chunk of the national budget last year. Read more
JANUARY 2015
Teachers Urged to Work Hard Teachers are reminded that, as public servants, they are duty-bound to give value to public money through commitment to their teaching profession. Read more
The State of Funding Higher Education Education is definitely one of the principal means available to foster a deeper and more harmonious form of human progress and development. Read more
Be Careful With Bogus Institution, NQA Warns Namibian Qualification Authority has urged Namibian Students to think carefully before enrolling with higher education institutions to avoid registering with bogus establishments. Read more
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