The Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia (UNAM), Professor Kenneth Matengu, wants the Alumni Association to provide scholarships to deserving students and improve campus facilities.

Professor Matengu said this during the launch of the UNAM Alumni Southern Chapter at Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas Region.

The UNAM Southern Campus was recently inaugurated, and Professor Matengu says that the establishment of the Southern Chapter came at the right time as the university continues to expand its footprint in the region.

There is a need to improve the proportion of male entrants to the country's universities.
 
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who is also Chancellor of the University of Namibia (UNAM), said this at the UNAM Southern Campus' 2023 graduation ceremony, held at Keetmanshoop.

240 students received certificates, diplomas, and degrees in the fields of health, geosciences, education, commerce, and law during the Unam Southern Campus graduation ceremony.

Under-achievement and under-participation of boys in education have become a national concern and stakeholders are actively exploring ways to support the boy child.

A two-day colloquium was initiated by the University of Namibia (UNAM), to look into the topic.

The colloquium aims to find solutions to improve general academic achievement among boys and establish the causes of academic differences between male and female learners.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba says Namibia has taken a giant leap forward in its pursuit of excellence in diplomacy with the opening of the School of Diplomatic Studies, launched by the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in collaboration with the University of Namibia.

The development is welcomed as a significant step towards providing diplomatic skills and the knowledge necessary to navigate the complex world of international relations.

The University of Namibia (UNAM) commences its academic year, and students have been encouraged to take advantage of the resources provided by the institution to excel and uphold the institution's good reputation.

 Vice Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Matengu pointed out, reputation is attributed to quality teaching, research and innovation amongst others.

 UNAM has registered a total of over 23 000 students, of which more than 4 500 are first-time students.

The University of Namibia has dismissed allegations that students at the School of Medicine were admitted along tribal lines.

Though not verified by the institution, UNAM says only 41 of the 70 successful applicants indicated on their application forms that they were Oshiwambo-speaking.

It is a sensitive matter to talk about, but tribal allegations cloud the institution's School of Medicine and School of Surgery programs after the vast majority of those on the acceptance list at the school carry Aawambo names.

The University of Namibia (UNAM) is developing an artificial intelligence curriculum for Africa.

Pro-Vice Chancellor at the institution, Professor Anicia Peters, says UNAM will collaborate with Africa-based Google and Microsoft.

"This curriculum came about because we said if Africans and women want to be part of the creators of AI and we want to diminish the gender biases, the racial biases, and the stereotypes against Africans, then we have to get on that wagon and we have to start educating our learners and students just like you."

The University of Namibia and Germany's Anhalt University of Applied Sciences have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an academic program in renewable energy sources, including green hydrogen.

The agreement was signed at State House, in Windhoek.

Academic programs to be developed include those on solar energy and its applications, as well as green hydrogen technology, transport logistics, and sustainable energy policy and business.

The University of Namibia's Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus at Oshakati, Oshana Region, is hosting a two-day multi-disciplinary research conference.

The main purpose of the conference is to share research findings and create collaborative links between academics, stakeholders, and renowned professional practitioners at their workplaces.

In her address, Professor Nelago Iindongo, Director of the Center for Research Services, said UNAM endeavours to become a research-led university.

The UK's Cardiff University has donated N$4 million to the University of Namibia's Ogongo Agricultural Campus, which it used to purchase various pieces of machinery.

The money was used to buy, among other things, tractors, baler machines, and hay rakes to help the campus improve its production and to assist students to learn by using modern agricultural practices.

Because most indigenous trees are on the verge of extinction, the two universities also invested in the purchase of indigenous trees, which will be planted at the campus bio-diverse forest.