University of Namibia

This article is about the university in Namibia. For the university in Mexico also called UNAM, see National Autonomous University of Mexico.

University of Namibia
MottoInnovation and Academic Excellence
TypePublic university
Established31 August 1992; 32 years ago (1992-08-31)
ChancellorNangolo Mbumba
Vice-ChancellorKenneth Matengu
Academic staff
2,500
Students30,144[1]
Location
Windhoek
,
Khomas Region
,
Namibia
Campus12 campuses and 11 regional centres[2]
Colors  Red
  Gold
Websitewww.unam.edu.na
UNAM main campus

The University of Namibia (UNAM) is a multi-campus public research university in Namibia, and the largest university in the country.[3] It was established by an act of Parliament on 31 August 1992.

Background

UNAM comprises the following faculties and schools:

  • Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Faculty of Economics & Management Science
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Law
  • School of Medicine
  • Faculty of Engineering and Information
  • Faculty of Science
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Public Health
  • School of Military Science
  • Centre for Postgraduate Studies

Ranked in the top 30 of tertiary institutions on the continent in the past 10 years, UNAM is one of the best universities in Africa.[4] The University of Namibia is the only institution in the world to offer a doctorate in the study of the Khoekhoe language.

In 2023, UNAM has been co-ranked 16th among the Top 100 Universities in Africa, by the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.[5]

Campuses

The University of Namibia (UNAM) operates 12 campuses[6] across the country, including:

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology was founded on 1 January 2008 following the dissolution of the Department of Engineering and Technology, which had existed under the Faculty of Science since 2000. Sam Nujoma, the first president of Namibia and then-chancellor of the university conducted the groundbreaking ceremony at Ongwediva on 17 November 2007. The ceremony took place on a 13-hectare plot of land that had been donated to UNAM by the Ongwediva town council.

In January 2008, the National Planning Commission approved funding for the construction of phase 1 of the new Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FOET) in Ongwediva. Construction work began in April 2008 with emphasis on lecture rooms, staff offices, laboratories, IT facilities, student hostels, staff houses and other support facilities. The completion of these facilities (phase 1A) enabled the first batch of students to be admitted in the FOET.[7]

Academics

Notable academics at the University of Namibia have included Bience Gawanas, former ombudsperson, professor Nico Horn,[8] André du Pisani, Lazarus Hangula, Dorian Haarhoff, Elizabeth Amukugo, Erold Naomab, Job Amupanda and Günter Heimbeck.

Marks scandal

In 2011, reports claimed that UNAM lecturers had been exchanging marks for sexual favours from students, and exchanging completed assignments for money. It was claimed this had resulted in serious academic degradation. Investigating and combating such illegal practices has since become a priority for the Namibian government and UNAM management.[9][10][11][12]

Notable alumni

The University of Namibia has produced several notable and famous public individuals since its founding, including:

See also

References

  1. ^ "About UNAM". 24 August 2015.
  2. ^ "About UNAM | History". University of Namibia. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  3. ^ "About UNAM". University of Namibia. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Top 200 Universities in Africa | 2016 University Rankings". www.4icu.org. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  5. ^ "UNAM ranked 16th among top 100 Universities in Africa | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Campuses". UNAM. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Unam.na". www.unam.na. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Dr. Nico Horn – Professor and Human Rights Leader". www.ijnetwork.org. Retrieved 21 July 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "Unam turned into 'academic brothel'". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  10. ^ "RDP responds to UNAM's sex trade saga". economist.com.na. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Namibian lecturers prey on students sexually". monitor. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  12. ^ "UNAM knew about sex-for-marks claims". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  13. ^ Ikela, Selma (18 December 2019). "Fransina Kahungu: From classroom to mayor". New Era Live. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  14. ^ Liswaniso, Mwaka (18 July 2014). "Theo-Ben Gurirab (1938 ...) An educator, politician and diplomat". New Era. p. 6.
  15. ^ Mongudhi, Tileni (April 2012). "Last Woman Standing". Insight Namibia. pp. 22–23.
  16. ^ "Mushelenga, Peya". Parliament of Namibia. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  17. ^ "Iipumbu, Lucia Magano". Parliament of Namibia. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  18. ^ "USG Abdelaziz meeting with Ms. Francine Muyumba | Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, OSAA". www.un.org. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  19. ^ "Young author set to release 4th book on world economy". Truth, for its own sake. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  20. ^ Article title[dead link‍] Mobile Online – Landless People’s Movement seeking restorative justice: Seibeb

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