The late Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma is credited for driving research, innovation and knowledge at the UNAM Henties Bay campus.

28 years ago, a marine station was established at Henties Bay to promote research in Namibia.

With merely two buildings in 2002, the station has matured into a fully fledged UNAM campus over the years.

"Founding had a significant impact on this campus. It was created while he was the chancellor of the University of Namibia. It was his vision, the location where we are located also; it was him that, in consultation with the municipality of Henties Bay, picked the place. So the beginning of this campus was on the basis of the vision of the Founding Father," said Professor Johannes Iitembu, the campus director.

The late Dr. Sam Nujoma raised funds on various occasions and consequently created a trust fund to support the development of the campus.

His unwavering support continued as he encouraged staff members and students to conduct groundbreaking research.

"He was key in driving the establishment of our desalination unit here on campus. He was actually the one that was responsible for officially opening it because he was a believer in making use of the vast resources that we have in the Atlantic Ocean so that we can desalinate this water and use it for desert greening," remembered Dr. Allan Mupambwa, a senior researcher in desert agriculture.

The desalinated water is used to irrigate an olive plantation on campus, in addition to water harvested from the fog in the Namib desert.

Over 200 students are currently accommodated at the Sam Nujoma Campus at Henties Bay.

The campus director says 60% to 70% of young people employed in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources as well as middle managers in the fishing industry are products of this campus.