Namibian University of Science and Technology
Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), was established as Polytechnic of Namibia by an act of Parliament, the Polytechnic Act, Act 33 of 1994, and transformed to NUST by an act of Parliament, Act 7 of 2015. It is dedicated to teaching and research as part of the higher education system to grant career-orientated academic degrees up to postgraduate level to supply the human capital for Namibia's ambitious development agenda dubbed Vision 2030, when Namibia is projected to be a developed nation. NUST has extensively strengthened its profile, status and reputation during the past 20 years. It has grown to 12,964 students over six schools 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. The instruction programs are aimed at meeting the needs of industry, the driving force of the Namibian economy. During the course of their study, technological knowledge, skills, values and attitudes are brought home to the students.
With the transformation from Polytechnic to University, research has become much more a priority in the institution. The focus is on conducting strategic research based on solving real-life problems and finding solutions that can be applied while advancing socio-economic development.
In order to achieve this, the research support function needs to be strengthened at the institution. The research support function will be aimed at providing maximum support to academic staff with regard to securing research funding, establishing interdisciplinary research teams and long term strategic partnerships between universities, research skills building of academic staff and assisting academic staff in the publication of their research findings in accredited research journals.
Role in project
NUST will provide inputs into the development of the project outcomes, using their particular experience to date in Namibia and the perspective of a strongly emerging research university in SADC to the exchanges of good practice and building of individual and institutional RMA capacity. NUST will participate in the development of 1) the content of a postgraduate diploma course for RMAs; 2) An accreditation route for RMA professionals; and 3) the development of a Masters in RMA curriculum for the SADC region. 4) A focus on RMA staff and information exchanges across the SADC and EU regions involved, for the exchange of good practice, and developing mutual understanding of the RMA contexts. NUST staff will participate in a survey and benchmarking exercise, to develop a shared framework for institutional RMA structures and to identify gaps that may exist in their current institutional/individual RMA capacities. Staff exchanges (internships and mentorships) will form part of this activity.
Bas Rijnen - brijnen@nust.na
Anna Matros-Goreses - amatros-goreses@nust.na
Website: http://www.nust.na/