EENHANA - Tertiary education in Namibia received another boost in the form of a state-of-the-art university that will be constructed in Eenhana by the International University of Management.
The university continues to grow in leaps and bounds, as it is about to open its seventh campus in the country, making it one of the fastest-growing private institutions of higher learning.
The first phase of the construction is expected to be worth N$25 million.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday in Eenhana, Ohangwena region, founder David Namwandi said education, particularly tertiary education, is an important pillar for any country to build its human resources and become a competitive and innovative society.
“Such education should not be offered in faraway capital cities but close to where the community resides to reduce the costs of higher education and make it more accessible to all groups in society,” he explained.
In line with the country’s transformation agenda and the AU long-term Vision 2063, Namwandi said the IUM governing council has chosen to support the efforts of the country to have an educated population, especially among young people.
“Our young people must be trained and educated to become entrepreneurs so that they create jobs, thereby generating wealth for the nation. IUM had the above in mind when we mounted a curriculum which puts great emphasis on entrepreneurship,” he said, also adding that the newly accredited programme under the Centre of Environmental Studies is geared towards addressing the gaps which he feels is holding back the development of the country.
Once fully operational, the campus will offer programmes such as Environmental Studies, IT & Computer Science, Management Science, Strategic Leadership as well as Tourism and Hotel Management.
The campus will also offer distance and open learning programmes for those who cannot access full-time and part-time programmes.
It also offers soft skills programmes aiming at upgrading and keeping professionals up to date with current job market trends.
“The main objective is to make university education accessible to enhance regional development,” he added.
A decision to build the campus came after the university was approached by the town council to bring the institution of higher learning closer to the people.
The governor of Ohangwena, Walde Ndevashiya, who was also in attendance, said the expression of interest by IUM to set up a campus in the region is a milestone.
“We believe this will go a long way in creating access to higher education for the young people in our region. The establishment of the campus will greatly benefit young people of the Ohangwena region and neighbouring regions as they will no longer travel long distances or out of the regions to seek tertiary education enrollment,” said Ndevashiya.
He further added that employment opportunities will be created in the region during and after the construction of the campus.
The campus will be the third institute of higher learning in the region after the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) satellite campus and Eenhana Vocational Training Centre.
- ashikololo@nepc.com.na