Unam, Iowa State join hands
In a significant stride towards improving rural education, the University of Namibia (Unam) and Iowa State University (ISU) have secured a grant under a project titled 'Strengthening university systems to improve rural education'. This collaborative initiative, funded by the United States State Department and the American embassy in Windhoek with a substantial investment of N$3.7 million, is anticipated to unfold over a two-year period, from October 2022 to October 2024.
A delegation comprising key university administrators, led by finance and administration pro vice-chancellor Professor Ellen Namhila, and academic experts from the School of Education in the Faculty of Education and Human Sciences, led by associate dean Dr John Nyambe, embarked on a transformative visit to ISU in the United States of America.
The delegation included Professor Sakaria Iipinge, Dr Eveline Anyolo, Dr Shiwana Naukushu and Immanuel Shipena.
Hosted by ISU School of Education and former Fulbright scholar to Unam, Professor Joanne Marshall, the delegation's mission was to exchange strategies and enhance the capabilities of future teachers and teacher educators. The overarching goal is to elevate the quality of rural education in both Iowa and Namibia.
During the visit, the delegation explored various educational institutions and research facilities, gaining valuable insights into the contextualisation of rural education, financing and resource-sharing dynamics in rural schools, and the influence of leadership structures on decision-making within districts. The team also discovered that the focus of special education leans more towards life skills than specific curriculum subjects.
Key learnings included the role of applied research in aiding students' understanding of subject content and providing solutions to community-based problems. The significance of university early childhood labs, their influence on policy agendas within communities, and the utilisation of libraries and mobile library concepts were also highlighted.
Looking ahead, the collaborative project is poised to continue its momentum, with expectations of hosting delegates from Iowa State by mid-2024. The commitment extends to the ongoing sharing of best practices in rural education through publications and the establishment of innovative strategies and facilities at Unam. As this partnership progresses, the focus remains steadfast on advancing the quality and accessibility of education in rural settings through collaborative and research-driven initiatives.
A delegation comprising key university administrators, led by finance and administration pro vice-chancellor Professor Ellen Namhila, and academic experts from the School of Education in the Faculty of Education and Human Sciences, led by associate dean Dr John Nyambe, embarked on a transformative visit to ISU in the United States of America.
The delegation included Professor Sakaria Iipinge, Dr Eveline Anyolo, Dr Shiwana Naukushu and Immanuel Shipena.
Hosted by ISU School of Education and former Fulbright scholar to Unam, Professor Joanne Marshall, the delegation's mission was to exchange strategies and enhance the capabilities of future teachers and teacher educators. The overarching goal is to elevate the quality of rural education in both Iowa and Namibia.
During the visit, the delegation explored various educational institutions and research facilities, gaining valuable insights into the contextualisation of rural education, financing and resource-sharing dynamics in rural schools, and the influence of leadership structures on decision-making within districts. The team also discovered that the focus of special education leans more towards life skills than specific curriculum subjects.
Key learnings included the role of applied research in aiding students' understanding of subject content and providing solutions to community-based problems. The significance of university early childhood labs, their influence on policy agendas within communities, and the utilisation of libraries and mobile library concepts were also highlighted.
Looking ahead, the collaborative project is poised to continue its momentum, with expectations of hosting delegates from Iowa State by mid-2024. The commitment extends to the ongoing sharing of best practices in rural education through publications and the establishment of innovative strategies and facilities at Unam. As this partnership progresses, the focus remains steadfast on advancing the quality and accessibility of education in rural settings through collaborative and research-driven initiatives.
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