The University of Namibia (Unam)’s Rundu campus in Kavango East Region has since its transformation from Rundu College of Education in 2011 continued to grow.
New Era’s regional reporter for the two Kavango regions, John Muyamba, interviewed Simon Namesho, the public relations and marketing officer at Unam to gather some insight.
JM: This year Unam introduced the Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Nursing Science (Clinical) at Rundu Campus. How many students have been registered for this course.
SN: Rundu campus now trains full-time nurses at Rundu campus as of January 2017 on the programme of Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Nursing Science (Clinical). This programme is offered by the School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences. This year, there are 73 first year and 30 third year students on the programme. The Nursing Science (Clinical) course consists of compulsory clinical practice, which counts for 50 percent of the course.
Clinical placement in training hospitals commences from the first year of study. As a result, the available numerous hospitals in the Kavango East and West regions, to sufficiently accommodate students for their attachments, makes the nurses training in the two regions ideal.
JM: How many courses are currently offered on a full-time basis? And kindly name the courses.
SN: Since its transformation from the former Rundu College of Education in 2011, the campus now has fully-fledged university status, offering accredited undergraduate programmes under three faculties, namely: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Faculty of Education, and as of 2017, the Faculty of Health Sciences represented by the School of Nursing. Under the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences the following programmes are offered full-time: a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (Honours) degree, a Diploma in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation as well as a Diploma in Accounting and Auditing. In the Faculty of Education offers a Bachelor of Education (Pre- and Lower-Primary) (Honours), a Bachelor of Education (Upper Primary) (Honours), a Diploma in Junior Primary, and since 2016, the In-Service Teacher Education Diploma in Junior Primary programme. The Faculty of Health Sciences represented by the School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Nursing Science (Clinical) (Honours) degree. Master’s programmes in the Faculty of Education are offered via video conferencing. Additionally, Rundu Campus also offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses on distance mode via the Centre for Distance, Open and e-Learning (CODeL) ranging from certificates, diplomas, bachelor degrees (Honours) and postgraduate diplomas level in accountancy, business administration, education, health sciences, humanities and local government studies. “
JM: What is the overall student population figure of this campus, from year 1 to the final year?
SN: In 2017, the Rundu Campus has an overall student population of 2,495 students. Within that, 1,804 study on a full-time basis, while 413 are on distance and 175 students on the In-Service Teacher [INSET] Education Diploma in Junior Primary programme. First year full-time students, in all faculties, make up 37 percent (712) of the Rundu Campus population, with second-years at 27 percent (524), third-years at 18 percent (345) and fourth-years at 17 percent (326).
JM: And tell us about the gym, how is it operated and who is welcome to make use of it?
SN: As of July 2016, a new state-of-the-art fitness centre/gym, with one of the best-equipped facilities in town, opened doors to the student population, campus staff members as well as the general public at Rundu Campus.
The management of the Campus Gym is under a third party agreement. Use of the gym facilities is by membership subscription, with Pay-As-You-Go membership also available. The gym operates seven days a week and offers discounted subscription fees to students and staff members.
JM: “How many students are graduating onApril 27 (today) at this particular campus and in what fields of studies?
SN: 241 graduates will be graduating with certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees (Honours) and postgraduate diplomas at the Rundu Campus 2017 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, 27 April.
Among those that have chosen to graduate at the Rundu Campus 2017 Graduation Ceremony are the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (32 graduates); Faculty of Education (166 graduates); Faculty of Health Sciences School of Nursing (8 graduates) and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (13 graduates).
JM: Tell us the hostel capacity of this campus.
SN: Lodging at campus is full of the comforts and conveniences of a student home. During their studies, students may stay in the 280-capacity campus residence or in private accommodation. In each of the neat and well maintained five hostel blocks, are 28 bedrooms, with each accommodating two students. Furniture per shared room includes two desks, chairs, bookcases, beds and mattresses, lockable cupboards and mosquito nets.
Besides having access to a 24-hour free WiFi connection, each hostel block has a common room furnished with a big-screen television connected to Digital Satellite (Dstv), two separate communal bathrooms, each with four toilets, showers (with hot water) and wash basins, as well as a braai area in each hostel block. Students also have access to a newly built kitchenette area, that is furnished with two four solid plate stoves with a static oven and a seating area. There’s also a conveniently situated laundry room in each block. In addition, accommodation fees include breakfast. However, admission to an academic programme does not imply that a student has a room in university accommodation. All students have to apply separately for accommodation.