UNAM To Introduce Teacher Diploma Programmes

University of Namibia

THE University of Namibia (Unam) will reintroduce teaching diploma programmes to address teacher shortage in the country.

This was announced by Unam's vice-chancellor, Professor Lazarus Hangula, at the university's 2014 opening ceremony at Keetmanshoop yesterday.

The programme also saw the start of operations at the Southern campus.

Teachers are now being trained to attain a degree after the merger of Windhoek, Rundu, Ongwediva and Caprivi education colleges in 2010.

"We will not replicate how teacher training was done in the past. We will take a strategic view to this diploma so that teacher graduates are specialist in given areas that include mathematics and science," Hangula said.

He also said Unam decided, at the request of the government, to the reintroduce the diploma programmes to meet the demand for teachers.

"We hope this will enable those teachers to articulate into degree programmes should they wish. It is our firm belief that by taking this route we would be responding to the needs of our education sector in a timely manner," Hangula remarked.

Highlighting the Unam accomplishments in 2013, Hangula announced that the university had introduced at its Zambezi campus a degree programme in Wildlife and Forestry Management aimed at supporting the growing tourism sector, adding that Unam anticipates setting up a world class laboratory on animal health during the course of year.

In addition, Hangula highlighted accomplishments, including the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Southern campus, the expansion of the Faculty of Engineering and the relocation of relevant programmes to the Henties Bay campus.

Hangula further announced that the Unam Senate had approved the implementation of several academic programmes including a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Military Science this year.

"Not only Unam, but also the county is moving forward as a knowledge-based society," Hangula remarked, adding that Unam is a focal point of research towards addressing the national challenges such as the eradication of malaria in Namibia by 2020.

In his message, //Karas governor, Bernadus Swartbooi, promised that the region will continue to reinvigorate its education systems to ensure a good supply of students from the secondary schools.

The Southern campus has enrolled 50 pioneer students for the 2014 academic year and campus coordinating director Erold Naomab said the the institution will render immense opportunities to accessing knowledge.