The University of Namibia (UNAM), the countryís premier institution of higher education comprises 12 Campuses countrywide, eight Faculties and seven Regional Centres. This outreach makes UNAM a community-based institution, distinguished for its academic excellence, notable research and community development projects. In a time of great financial uncertainty, the University of Namibia remains optimistic about its mandate, because it is certain of the realisation that success comes not without trial.
The Council of the University of Namibia, its governing arm, is poised to usher Namibiaís premier tertiary institution towards academic excellence in the region, continent and the world.
The Council comprises a diverse team of men, women, academicians, technocrats, politicians and industry leaders who have taken on this responsibility, with passion and commitment to steer forward the development of the institution.
UNAMís philosophy is to build industry leaders, cadre for the public sector, as well as entrepreneurs. We do not simply train employees, our programmes ensure that each individual student who joins UNAM is fully equipped for the career option that he/she has chosen. UNAM is likewise growing into the institution of choice for many citizens of the world. Meaning that not only is UNAM becoming a more visible institution, it also means that there is enhanced quality in the education and training that the national university provides to its students. Further attested by the concomitant upsurge in the status of UNAMís ranking among African higher education institutions.
UNAM offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes run across diverse educational platforms, from natural to social sciences. A study conducted by an international expert, Guillermo Lemarchand, entitled, ìScience and Technology and Information Platform for Namibiaî, found that the University of Namibia, was still the countryís chief contributor to new knowledge.
Confronted by a time of immense challenges, the University has instituted a new strategic direction for the period between 2016 ñ 2020. This new plan seeks to focus on performance and achieve new directions. Such as an income-generating strategy, improving stakeholder engagement, further increasing university ranking; and strengthening the comprehensive quality of tuition.
Among the various outputs expected from the strategic plan, the recently registered commercial arm of the University, ìInceptus Pty (Ltd)î, deserves specific recognition. As a result of an income generation strategy, the University Council has, in the wake of various financial challenges, considered the formation of a corporation of the university, that would guide and coordinate the commercialisation of various products, services, and research and development (R&D) arising from UNAMís academic breakthroughs. It is the university Councilís expectation that this new stratagem will reduce the universityís reliance on government funding.
Underpinning the new strategic plan lies the crucial desire to improve both governance and leadership in Namibian higher education.
