The National Planning Commission (NPC) has approved N$60 million in funding over three years for the construction of the UNAM Southern Campus Geosciences building, where specialised laboratories, including the oil and gas lab and the hydrology and engineering labs, will be housed.

This was revealed by UNAM's Vice Chancellor Professor Kenneth Matengu during an appreciation dinner for stakeholders in the ||Kharas Region that supported the establishment of the Southern Campus over the years. 

The appreciation dinner for stakeholders, which forms part of the ten-year celebrations of the Southern Campus, aimed to celebrate efforts made in the establishment of the Southern Campus. 

"The intention when the recommendation was made to establish a southern campus was that the university would be an active player in causing development to take place by producing competent human resources wherever they come from. We have a greater vision for the south, and we are very aware of the natural endowments that are in the south, the oil and gas. The hydrogen, the zinc, the diamonds, the good soils that are just lacking water." 

Southern Campus Director Dr. Seth Eiseb revealed that the proposal for a multipurpose resource centre has been submitted to the UNAM Foundation to source funding. 

"Stakeholders, with your continued support, we will make the campus a catalyst for individual and regional prosperity with national and international impact. We strive for our campus to be a regional hub benefiting our local communities. Our distinctiveness is our perseverance as we look forward to the next ten years and beyond, which will only be possible with your support."  

Some of the stakeholders at the event commended UNAM for its decision to open the southern campus. 

The UNAM Southern Campus currently offers courses in the disciplines of Education, Economics, Management, Humanities, Social Sciences, Nursing and Geosciences.