WINDHOEK: The University of Namibia (UNAM) has earmarked N. dollars 60 million for the second phase of construction at its Southern Campus in Noordhoek, announced Vice Chancellor Professor Kenneth Matengu during his State of the University address. The project, expected to commence early next year, comes amid concerns over the slow pace of campus development and low student admission rates.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Professor Matengu expressed concerns about the slow progress, questioning whether all phases of the campus would ever be completed given the current pace. He urged financial backers to prioritize the construction, highlighting that only one building has been completed in the ten years since the campus’s inception. The Vice Chancellor also addressed the admission rates, revealing that out of 9,079 applications received over the past five years, only 2,545 students were admitted due to many applicants not meeting minimum requirements.
Matengu pointed out that poor performance in basic edu
cation contributes to low participation in higher education, particularly in sectors crucial for economic growth, such as green hydrogen. He emphasized the need for collective efforts from parents, churches, and communities to encourage a more serious approach to education among learners. He outlined the evolving role of the university, from nation-building to contributing to economic growth and eventually fostering manufacturing capabilities and industrialization, especially in light of recent oil and gas discoveries.
UNAM Southern Campus Director, Seth Eiseb, expressed optimism about the campus’s future, despite its current challenges. He highlighted its strategic location in southern Namibia, near South Africa, as an asset for regional and national development. The address coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Southern Campus, celebrated under the theme “Celebrating 10 years of UNAM Southern Campus Impact – Building on a Legacy.”
