NUST Ohangwena campus on the horizon

Plans to establish a NUST satellite campus in the town of Eenhana, Ohangwena Region, are well under way. It is envisaged that the campus will offer an assortment of programmes, with a particular focus on natural sciences, management sciences, as well as technical and vocational education and training.

Despite the fact that Ohangwena is one of the most densely populated regions in Namibia, there are no institutions of higher learning in this part of the country, with the exception of the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre.

Speaking at a meeting that was held to discuss the establishment of the new campus, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, the minister of higher education, technology and innovation, said the decentralisation of NUST’s services has become a priority.

“Education needs to be taken to the masses of the country. Windhoek no longer holds the masses,” she said.

The patron

Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who was also in attendance, has been selected as the patron of the campus. During the engagement, he highlighted that the Eenhana town council has already indicated a possible area to be utilised for the prospective university.

All hands on deck

The NUST vice-chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab, expressed his confidence in the project’s success, due to his experience in facilitating new establishments.

“I am 110% committed to ensure that this project reaches fruition,” he emphasised.

The meeting was also attended by the NUST chancellor and Speaker of National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, the NUST council chairperson, Florette Nakusera, and senior management of the ministry and university.

The roll-out

NUST will now embark on a vigorous stakeholder engagement process, locally and internationally, to solicit support and funds for the project. The project will then be rolled out in two phases, focusing on programme offerings and infrastructure development.