Vice-chancellor Kenneth Matenguadvised graduates to pursuepathways in employment, enterprise or public service
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“In a congratulatory message for the Class of 2025, vice-chancellor Kenneth Matengu advised graduates to pursue pathways in employment, enterprise or public service, describing the world they are entering as dynamic, demanding, and full of possibilities.”
Unam Vice Chancellor Prof. Kenneth Matengusaid first-year enrolment has more than doubled toover 11,000 in 2026
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“Unam Vice Chancellor Prof. Kenneth Matengu said the first-year enrolment has more than doubled, rising from just over 5 000 students to over 11 000 in 2026.”
Professor Kenneth Matenguemphasizedthe institution's role in driving national development through higher education
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“Speaking during the Unam northern campuses graduation ceremony, Matengu said the graduates form part of the university's contribution to Namibia's social and economic progress.”
Kenneth Matenguhighlighteddiversity and inclusivity among southern campus graduates
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“University of Namibia (Unam) Vice Chancellor Kenneth Matengu on Thursday highlighted diversity and inclusivity among this year's southern campus graduates at Keetmanshoop.”
Matenguadded that Unam Senate decided to adda school of nuclear science and a school of manufacturing
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“Moreover, Matengu added that the Unam Senate has decided to add a school of nuclear science due to Namibia being the third largest producer of uranium in the world and a school of manufacturing.”
Kenneth Matengusaid the initiative was prompted bya critical sanitation crisis in the town
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“Speaking at the official workshop, Unam vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu said the initiative was prompted by a critical sanitation crisis in the town, where ageing sewer infrastructure is struggling to cope with population growth.”
Kenneth Matengusaidprimary education sector must be built on strong foundation
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“The primary education sector must be built on a strong foundation for it to become a good feeder for universities and other institutions of higher learning, says University of Namibia (Unam) vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu.”
The government of Japan has donated two ambulances, a fire truck and emergency equipment valued at N$1.2 million to the University of Namibia to strengthen emergency response services across its campuses, with the donation also expected to improve access for students with disabilities.
Why it matters
Japan donates N$1.2 million in emergency equipment to UNAM, strengthening university response services and disability access.
The government of Japan has donated two ambulances, a fire truck and emergency equipment valued at N$1.2 million to the University of Namibia to strengthen emergency response services across its campuses, with the donation also expected to improve access for students with disabilities.
The University of Namibia conferred qualifications on 4,342 graduands and NUST graduated 2,804 students in 2025, totalling at least 7,146 in the most recent cycle. The graduates enter a labour market defined by high youth unemployment and limited graduate absorption, while leaders remain in office well past retirement age.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on government institutions and the private sector to convert existing training budgets into structured internship and apprenticeship opportunities for graduates, warning that Namibia's growing number of graduates must not end up without work experience. She made the remarks at Unam's graduation ceremony, where hundreds of students received certificates, diplomas and degrees.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed all government offices, ministries and agencies to allocate funds for structured internship and apprenticeship programmes to address graduate unemployment, and called on the private sector to support the initiative.
The University of Namibia's northern campuses graduated 901 students on Wednesday, representing a 4% increase from the previous year. The graduates span fields including engineering, nursing science, education, law and management sciences, with 65% women and qualifications aimed at contributing to Namibia's social and economic development.
The University of Namibia's northern campuses awarded 901 degrees on Wednesday, a 4% increase from last year's 864, with the cohort spanning engineering, nursing, education, law and management sciences, and including 65% female graduates and seven international students.
The University of Namibia's Southern campus held its first graduation ceremony of the year in Keetmanshoop, where 178 graduates from four faculties completed their studies. Vice Chancellor Kenneth Matengu highlighted diversity and inclusivity, noting that the cohort included five international students and three graduates from marginalised communities, while female students comprised 70.3% of graduates.
The University of Namibia is constructing an integrated wastewater management system at its Katima Mulilo Campus, financed by Germany's KfW Development Bank, to address the town's aging sewer infrastructure that dates to the 1930s and now serves a population of nearly 50,000. The N$60 million facility will serve Unam and the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre while supporting research, training, and water reuse initiatives in the region.
Japan has funded construction of four classrooms and a storeroom at Impalila Combined School in Namibia's Zambezi region, with the University of Namibia vice chancellor emphasizing that strong primary education foundations are essential for feeding universities and higher institutions.
The University of Namibia achieved 31st place in the QS World University Rankings: Sub-Saharan Africa 2026, its first inclusion in any QS global ranking. The ranking assessed over 1,000 institutions, with 69 universities from 21 countries making the final list, positioning Unam among the continent's recognised higher education institutions.
Former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi delivered a public lecture at the University of Namibia, highlighting Botswana's role in supporting Namibia's liberation struggle and sheltering genocide victims, while also formally apologizing for killings of Namibian fishermen by the Botswana Defence Force during past border disputes. He emphasized that the two countries have since strengthened bilateral relations through higher-level cooperation platforms and a formalised bi-national commission covering politics, trade, and defence.