KATIMA MULILO – The University of Namibia (Unam) has honoured Founding President Sam Nujoma for his instrumental role in shaping higher education in Namibia, describing him as the architect of the country’s premier university.
As president, Nujoma also served as Unam’s founding chancellor from April 1993 to November 2011. His vision and dedication to education laid the foundation for the institution’s growth and transformation into the formidable university it is today.
UNAM spokesperson Simon Namesho emphasised Nujoma’s unwavering belief in education as a tool for liberation and national development.
“From the onset of Namibia’s independence, his vision for higher education was clear that education would be a key driver of national progress,” Namesho said. “His commitment was not just rhetoric; he led by example, earning a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Geology from Unam in 2009 after four years of rigorous study and research.”
A legacy of leadership and expansion
Unam fondly remembers Nujoma’s inaugural address as chancellor on 23 April 1993, where he declared:
“I see the University of Namibia as a centre of higher learning, served by dedicated men and women of quality, and producing graduates determined to uplift the standard of living of our people. I see the University of Namibia taking its rightful place in Southern Africa, Africa, and the world at large, making its contribution in every area of knowledge.”
Nujoma played a pivotal role in establishing Unam, presiding over its first graduation ceremony in 1993 alongside the university’s first vice chancellor, Peter Katjavivi. His leadership inspired confidence in Namibia’s new public university, ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and academic excellence.
Under his tenure, Unam expanded from a single campus in Windhoek to a nationwide institution with 12 campuses, bringing higher education closer to Namibians from all walks of life.
Milestones during his chancellorship also include the integration of agricultural and education colleges; the incorporation of Neudamm and Ogongo agricultural colleges (2008) and various teacher training colleges (2011) strengthened Unam’s focus on agriculture, teacher training, and education.
Infrastructure expansion includes laying foundation stones for major campuses, such as Oshakati campus which was opened in 1998, making tertiary education more accessible to northern Namibia.
Other achievements include the Faculty of Engineering and IT in Ongwediva whose groundbreaking work happened in 2007 that led to a state-of-the-art faculty, now producing top-tier engineers for Namibia’s industrial sector.
Zero Emission Research Initiative (ZERI) launched in 1997, reinforcing Unam’s commitment to sustainability research in among Nujoma’s success stories as Chancellor.
Others are the Sam Nujoma campus in Henties Bay which is home to the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC), leading research in marine sciences, fisheries, and climate adaptation.
From its humble beginnings, Nujoma witnessed Unam’s evolution into a globally-recognised institution. Today, it stands as the only Namibian university ranked in the 2024 Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa rankings, placing 13th among 129 universities from 22 countries.
It also ranks 16th among Africa’s top 100 universities, a testament to the strong foundation built under Nujoma’s leadership.
With over 69 000 alumni worldwide, Unam has become a leading academic institution, fostering international collaborations and producing graduates who contribute meaningfully to Namibia and beyond.
Nujoma’s vision for Unam transcended borders. He once famously declared: “The Unam of Namibia, the Unam of Angola, the Unam of Zambia”, envisioning the university as a centre of higher learning without boundaries.
– anakale@nepc.com.na