2015-05-05Staff Report 2 The International University of Management (IUM) became the only institution of higher learning in Kavango West when it officially opened a transitional campus in Nkurenkuru last week Thursday. A fully-fledged campus will open soon, with construction of the formal structures starting within two months, the university said. The transitional campus currently operates in a rented building at the only fuel station in town. It houses 80 registered students who are studying programs such as Marketing Management, Finance Management, IT - Business Information Systems, Human Resources Development and Management, and Business Administration. The short courses include Bookkeeping, Programming, Executive Secretarial and Computer Studies and an English language course. IUM Vice-Chancellor Virginia Namwandi said the opening of the transitional campus would make way for the planned and approved Nkurenkuru permanent campus that will be built at a cost of N$20 million. “Following a request by the Nkurenkuru community, spearheaded by the town council, IUM conducted stakeholder consultation and analysis to determine the demands and needs of the region,” she said. “The proposal to establish the IUM Nkurenkuru campus was duly endorsed by the IUM Governing Council.” Kavango West Governor Sirrka Ausiku, who has been on an aggressive hunt for investors in the region, welcomed the university. “Today we are happy to be witnessing the unfolding of yet another chapter with joy and happiness, marking the official opening of the International University of Management’s (IUM) new transitional campus right here in the heart of Nkurenkuru, Kavango West Region’s capital. “Before I proceed further, let me go on record to pay tribute and appreciation to the management and council of IUM for choosing Nkurenkuru to site one of their campuses.” Ausiku said that although it was a cheery occasion, she felt sad that after 25 years of independence Kavango West Region is amongst the regions with the highest level of poverty and unemployment in the country. “We know and believe that with quality education, training and skills development, poverty in the region will diminish and disappear in no time.” “That is why we have sought to partner with IUM, and I ask all of you to deepen that partnership so that the results will be beneficial to IUM, the citizens of Nkurenkuru and the region at large.” The Nkurenkuru campus makes it the 6th IUM campus in Namibia. Besides Nkurenkuru, IUM has a footprint in Swakopmund, Ongwediva, Walvis Bay, and two campuses in Windhoek. 2015-05-05Staff Report 2
