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.
 | |
| Motto | Innovation and Academic Excellence |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 31 August 1992 |
| Chancellor | Nangolo Mbumba |
| Vice-Chancellor | Kenneth Matengu |
Academic staff | 2 500 |
| Students | 30 144[1] |
| Location | , , Namibia |
| Campus | 12 campuses and 11 regional centres[2] |
| Colors | Red Gold |
| Website | www |
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]
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.[6]
Academics
Notable academics at the University of Namibia have included Bience Gawanas, former ombudsperson, professor Nico Horn,[7] 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.[8][9][10][11]
Notable alumni
The University of Namibia has produced several notable and famous public individuals since its founding, including:
- Sebastian Ignatius ǃGobs, Namibian politician – Class of 1995
- Fransina Kahungu, former mayor of Windhoek[12]
- Theo-Ben Gurirab, received a Doctorate of Law honoris causa – Class of 1999[13]
- Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana received Bachelor of Laws and B.Juris degrees – class of 1998 and 1999[14]
- Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari, political scientist and presidential spokesperson to Hage Geingob – Class of 2001
- Monica Geingos, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and businesswoman – Class of 2002
- Petrina Haingura, Namibian politician – Class of 2002
- Sacky Shanghala, former Namibian minister of justice – Class of 2003
- Sisa Namandje, Namibian lawyer – Class of 2003
- Bernadus Swartbooi, Namibian politician and president of the Landless People's Movement (Namibia) – Class of 2003
- Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Urban and Rural Development – Class of 2003[15]
- Tangeni Amupadhi – journalist and editor of The Namibian newspaper – Class of 2005[citation needed]
- Sam Nujoma, Namibian politician and former President of Namibia – Class of 2007
- Lucia Iipumbu, Deputy Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and SME development – Class of 2008[16]
- Job Amupanda, Namibian politician and leader of the Affirmative Repositioning and current mayor of Windhoek – Class of 2010
- Francine Muyumba, Congolese Senator, Former President of the Panafrican Youth Union – Class of 2012[17]
- Joseph Kalimbwe, youth activist and author – Class of 2017[18]
- Henny Seibeb, Namibian politician and deputy president of the Landless People's Movement (Namibia) – Class of 2019[19]
- Inna Hengari, member of Parliament, youth politician and student leader – Class of 2019
- Utaata Mootu, member of Parliament, youth politician – Class of 2019
- Emma Theofelus, member of Parliament, youth politician – Class of 2019
- Patience Masua, member of Parliament, youth politician - Class of 2020