Namibia University of Science and Technology

Contact person
Mr. Lameck Mwewa

Dean: Faculty of Natural Resources & Spatial Sciences
Telephone Number: 
+264 61 207 2186
Fax Number: 
+264 61 207 2196
Website: 
http://www.nust.na
Email Address: 
Type of Partner: 
Board Members
Country: 
Namibia
More Information on this partner: 

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is a corporation under public law with legal capacity and at the same time a state institution which was founded in 1994 by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 33 of 1994). It is dedicated to teaching and research as part of the higher education system to grant career-orientated academic degrees up to PhDs to supply the human capital for Namibia’s ambitious development agenda dubbed Vision 2030, when Namibia is projected to be a developed nation.

Driven by a vision to be among the top universities of applied science and technology, the PoN has extensively strengthened its profile, status and reputation during the past 15 years. It has grown qualifications from 63 in 2003 to 105 in 2010, including five master’s programmes, and has the accreditation of qualifications by international bodies through a peer review system and audits.  The institution is also affiliated to international accreditation bodies like HEQC of South Africa and FIBAA for business programmes.  It also boasts of over 80 international academic partners, majority of them from Europe with 24 partners in Germany alone.

In terms of student numbers, there has been an average growth about 18% per annum, leading to now over 11,000 students with at least 5% international. In the year 2010 a cabinet motion has been submitted to rename the PoN to Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).  It attracts students from as far as Liberia and China and has a record of 56% female students. It also receives a constant flow of students from the SADC region, including students from South Africa, which has some of the best universities in Africa. It will bring into the partnership its international partners and expertise in designing multidisciplinary student projects to give international students a unique experience.

The NUST has a modern city campus, with modern teaching and learning facilities and a new library, which is among the largest in the SADC region. It has a very international cadre of faculty and staff, highly committed to the development of the students, the institution and the nation. Recently, the NUST has been recognised by independent rankings, having been ranked 22nd in the webometrics ranking of January 2011. It offers career-oriented undergraduate and post graduate programmes which are benchmarked internationally.

Role of the organisation in the project

The NUST coordinates the implementation of the scheme via a Project Implementation Unit (PIU). The PIU is in charge of all administrative and financial matters; sets up and act as secretary to the Programme Board (PB) and the Steering Committee (SC) responsible for the selection process. The PIU manager and administrative secretary works in close contact with the partners regularly, thus contributing to the efficiency and sustainability of this partnership. The international relations and student offices assist logistically all the exchange staff and students in terms of visa application, insurance, accommodation and travel arrangements, cultural and language orientation and counselling. In 17 years, the NUST has developed an efficient financial management system with zero deficits. A dedicated financial officer in the student finance section is responsible for payment of student allowances in close consultation with the PIU unit. The PIU acts also as a link between all partners and the Executive Agency; collects, collates information to drafts reports (financial and otherwise) to ensure compliance with the EU regulations.