Bravery Kabula
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has dismissed allegations of purported favouritism by students in the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) programme regarding exit examinations, training equipment and assessment opportunities last year.
The concerns came to light in December when several EMC students claimed that the programme does not normally offer exit examinations, yet one student was allegedly granted the opportunity while others were sidelined.
The students argued that, after failing the programme, they expected either all affected students to repeat the academic year or all to be allowed to write the exit exam.
The students said the EMC programme consists of four key components with strict sub-minimum requirements. These include Patient Simulation, which requires a minimum of 60%; Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCES) at 75%; Theory at 55%; and Protocol at 70%. Students claimed that failing even one component by a small margin, results in failing the entire academic year, forcing them to repeat all components or exit the programme without a qualification. Dismissing the claims, NUST’s examination department confirmed that it had received appeals from students enrolled in the programme during the 2025 academic year relating to their academic outcomes.
NUST spokesperson Cindy van Wyk said all appeals were assessed on a case-by-case basis, impartially and strictly on individual merits, taking into account the specific academic circumstances of each student.
This in line with the university’s rules, regulations and assessment policies.
“As a result, outcomes differed across cases, including decisions relating to reassessment
eligibility. These outcomes were formally communicated directly to the affected students,” it reads. The department emphasised that academic decisions are not made arbitrarily but are guided by institutional rules and procedures to ensure fairness, consistency and the integrity of professional programmes.
Furthermore, students also raised concerns about the length of time some individuals spend in the EMC programme, claiming that some have repeated the same programme for up to seven years due to repeated failure.
They further alleged that broken and non-functional equipment used during practical training have contributed to poor academic performance.
Addressing these claims, the university acknowledged that some students have remained enrolled in the programme for extended periods due to repeated academic failure.
However, “academic progression is governed by approved university regulations and programme-specific policies, which apply equally to all students”.
On the issue of equipment used during practical training, the department said all teaching and training equipment is subject to normal wear and tear and is replaced periodically through institutional processes.
The same equipment, the university noted, is used for both training and assessments to ensure standardised conditions for all students.
The institution further dismissed claims that certain students are denied opportunities to make up missed assessments. NUST said all students who miss an assessment are given the opportunity to complete a make-up assessment regardless of medical documentation and other legitimate reasons for their absence. “All students who miss an assessment are granted an opportunity to complete a make-up assessment, irrespective of the reason for absence. This applies consistently across courses and is specified in the relevant course outlines,” the letter states. Moreover, students who believe they were unfairly excluded from the make-up assessment process have been encouraged to formally raise the matter with the programme coordinator or the head of department for review. –mathebravery@gmail.com