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Namibia by Barnabas Otaala Introduction
With an estimated population of only 1.66 million (1997), Namibia is one of the more thinly populated countries in Africa. Gross domestic product of Namibia estimated at $3.3 billion in 1997, provides a per capita income of $1,939, which qualifies it as a “middle income” country. Namibia declared independence in March 1990.History of Higher Education
In 1980 the Academy for Tertiary Education was established, with courses being offered mainly in teacher and secretarial training. Students had to travel abroad for further studies prior to 1980. Act 9 of 1985 reconfigured the academy to comprise a university component (which continued to be responsible for teacher training), Technikon of Nabia, and the College for Out-of-School Training. Shortly after independence, the 3 components were divided into 2 independent tertiary institutions.A presidential commission was set up and submitted a report on tertiary education in 1993. The recommendations of the commission led to the establishment of various tertiary institutions in Namibia, including the Polytechnic, the Colleges of Education, and University of Namibia (UNAM). UNAM is the only university in the country.
Enrollment and Faculty
The university has 7 faculties and 5 centers. The faculties are as follows: faculty of agriculture and natural resources; faculty of education; faculty of economics and management science; faculty of humanities and social sciences; faculty of law; faculty of medical and health sciences; and faculty of science. The centers include Center for External Studies, Center for Computer Center, Language Center, Multi-Disciplinary Research Center, and the University of Namibia Main Library.
Source: Registrar, Polytechnic of Namibia. Governance and Administration
One of UNAM’s key objectives and goals has been to streamline, reorganize, and improve the governance of the university, to promote its management efficiency. This involves improving information flow, developing Internet systems, promoting staff training, especially among the administrative staff, and decentralizing certain tasks to short-circuit the bureaucracy. The revised governance structure of UNAM, that includes the addition of 2 pro-vice chancellors and the creation of posts for strategic planning and international relations, is expected to make significant contribution.Research and Publishing
During the pre-independence period, research and development activities were controlled from South Africa. UNAM is striving to encourage academic staff undertake research and is also seeking to strengthen research by forging close cooperation with relevant government institutions and the private sector. The university has also established a Multidisciplinary Research Center to promote multidisciplinary research activities and programs. The newly established Human Rights Documentation Center in the faculty of law is helping to bring research findings to the community through a series of public meetings, seminars, and conferences.Funding and Resources
The key source of funding for UNAM is the government. There is the hope that the government will step up, rather than scale down, the budgetary allocation to UNAM. Regardless, the university will endeavor to raise additional funds from external sources, such as the private sector and the international donor community. The university is also striving to promote cost-effectiveness, rational budgeting, efficient administration, accountability, and a sound culture of maintenance and control of its assets.Gender Issues
The following table provides some figures on female student enrollment from the four colleges.
Source: Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Employment Creation. Note: For detailed account on the state of higher education in Namibia, please consult: Barnabas Otaala, African Higher Education: An International Reference Handbook (Damtew Teferra and Philip. G. Altbach, eds., Indiana University Press, 2003), pp. 476-486.
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