The International University of Management (IUM) opened its academic year with about 13 500 students on Monday at its Dorado Park campus in Windhoek.
Founder and chairman of governing council Prof David Namwandi said as an institution in the 21st century, they are ready to equip their graduates with skills which are adaptive and in line with the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions.
He urged lecturers to ensure that they make time their servant as opposed to their master – as “time on task is key”.
“Remember, these students are coming from different backgrounds, so balance your approach without diluting our standards,” he said, while also encouraging his staff to keep the first-year students busy with interesting and not boring content.
The university will this year celebrate its 29th year under the theme ‘The year of Enhanced Service Delivery’.
Since its inception in 1994, it now has campuses in Windhoek (the Dorado Park main campus and city branch), the Ongwediva Centre of Excellence for Education, in Nkurenkuru as well as the coastal campus in Walvis Bay. Construction of the IUM Swakopmund Research, Training and Conference Centre will commence next month, while a new campus in Eenhana is also on the cards.
Addressing new students, IUM acting vice chancellor Aquilinus Nashilundo said: “At IUM, you will have the opportunity to learn new things, acquire new knowledge, grow new competencies, develop new skills and enhance your attributes in profound ways that will shape your character for the rest of your life”.
On his part, SRC president Natangwe Shikesho remarked that while lots of hard work lies ahead for students and temptations and detractors may come their way, they should stay the course, remain focused, finish what they have started, and fulfil their dreams.
He said for the year 2023, the office of the SRC will be guided by the slogan ‘Change the Gear’, meaning that all students are called upon to change the gear towards the realisation of the university’s theme of ‘The Year of Enhanced Service Delivery’.