OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS

The Office of the Dean of Students (ODS) is primarily tasked with ensuring that there is a purposeful focus on the maintenance and promotion of the general welfare of all UNAM students. The broad mandate of the ODS covers the provision of the following key student support services:  Accommodation; Academic, Careers and Psycho-social Counselling; Catering services; Health services; Exchange and Foreign Students services; Sports and Culture; and Student Union Leadership Guidance and Development.

ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORT

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES (Information and Learning Resource Centre [ILRC])

The ILRC exists primarily to serve the needs and meet the demands of the University’s staff and students.  However given the University’s unique position in the wider community, it is our obligation to extend services to all. Facilities are state-of the-art such as an auditorium, discussion rooms, study carrels, training room, and exhibition facilities.  Books and other library material are located in different collections and further include services such as internet, data processing, open line access catalogue, photocopying, access to users with special needs, printing and after-hours return slots.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

KIOSK facility for students to access their examination results, examination timetable, academic records and financial statements are available, by using their student cards. These facilities are available at the ILRC, Main Dining Hall, and in the Library at the Northern Campus in Oshakati.  All registered UNAM students are eligible for official e-mail addresses.  Each faculty has open access to computer labs for students for practical applications.  Video conferencing facilities serves the UNAM Northern Campus, Ogongo Campus, and Neudamm Campus in distance education teaching and learning processes.

COUNSELLING SERVICES

The overall well-being of the students depends on the support system in the counselling office, whether it be social, psychological, health, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, career, environmental or physical.

The Student Counselling Services in the Office of the Dean of Students can be seen as the backbone of student development.  Students need to understand that they are part of a bigger structure which includes the International World. They are confronted daily with decision-making, as well as to make choices such as, drug and alcohol abuse, Aids and HIV, pre-marital sex, subject choices and social socialisation. One cannot imagine the negative effect wrong decision-making can have on a student’s wellness.

Common problems that are presented to Counsellors are:

• Career Guidance

• Difficulties in coping academically

• A desire to know themselves better

• A vague sense of loneliness, ‘rootless-ness’, isolation or disconnectedness, perhaps because of cultural differences

• Moods or unaccountable feelings (e.g. of sadness, depression, fear, anger or thoughts of suicide / self harm)

• Sexual / racial or other harassment

• Preoccupation with body image, perhaps leading to eating disorders

• Issues to do with self-esteem, self-confidence, under achievement

• Bereavement and loss

• Concerns about relationships with partners, parents and other family members

• Sexual issues, for example sexual abuse, unplanned pregnancies, uncertainty over sexual orientation

• Addictions, for example to alcohol, drugs, gambling, non-stop video or computer games.

Please note that all counselling cases are always treated in the utmost confidentiality.

CAMPUS BOOKSTORE

The Campus Bookstore is a compact, purpose-built retail store adjacent to the ILRC and Student Cafeteria.  Good text book stock availability complemented by excellent management, competitive prices, and a student-friendly, vibrant atmosphere is found in the Campus Bookstore.

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

The on-campus primary health care clinic provides preventative and curative services and gives Family Planning. It also provides health education on sexual transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDS; Hypertension; Diabetes, etc.

CHAPLAINCY

The role of the Chaplain at the University of Namibia is to help students and to encourage the spiritual well-being of the University community both collectively and individually. An important part of this is represented by the spiritual and pastoral care which is offered on a personal and confidential basis to students. The Chaplaincy also forms part of the student counselling services in the Office of the Dean of Students. This service provides support for students and works closely with student organisations and colleagues in related fields.

PRE-SCHOOL

The Pre-School serves as a safe, comfortable and hygienic day-care centre for children of members of the University Community, mainly UNAM employees.  Its facilities include a reception area, a babies’ room, a kitchen, toilets, a store room, a sunny playground with lawns and some playground equipment.

PROTECTION SERVICES

UNAM provides 24 hours security services to students on campus.  Campus Control Officials respond to emergency calls on campus, investigate reports of theft, crime or any form of harassment.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AND DINING

ON-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION

The University of Namibia offers extensive accommodation services. The Office of the Dean of Students (Hostel Accommodation Section) is constantly sourcing high-quality and affordable off-campus accommodation for students.  Details regarding accommodation could be obtained from the Hostel Accommodation Booklet.

STUDENT CAFETERIA

The Student Cafeteria is situated in the heart of the campus.  It is a counter-service outlet that offers a range of conventional fast foods, its own specialties, and an affordable meal-of-the-day.

 INDEPENDENCE CAFÉ

The kiosk-style fast foods outlet with a small outside seating area, has prime access to hundreds of students living in the hostel complex at its doorsteps.  It is home to the thousands of spectators, users and participants at the many sports events held annually at the adjacent pool, gymnasium, and tennis, basketball and squash courts.

SPORTS & LEISURE

SPORTS FACILITIES

UNAM offers all registered UNAM students an opportunity to realise individual and/or group interests and needs in the sports and cultural areas. Sports facilities on campus include  two tennis courts, two netball fields, one rugby field with stadium, one soccer field – also to accommodate hockey games, gymnasium  and a basket ball court.

SPORTS CLUBS AT UNAM   

               Athletics                      Basketball              Body-building                                         Boxing                       Cricke

               Hockey                         Judo                        Karate                                                     Netball                      Snooker

               Soccer                         Rugby                      Aerobics                                                 Chess                        Volleyball

               Table Tennis              Tennis                    Mountaineering & hiking

STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

UNAM offers students diverse cultural and artistic societies, academic organisations, and social clubs indicative of an expressive, energetic and creative student body.

SOCIETIES ON CAMPUS

              Campus Vision                                      Law Students Society                         UNAM Choir                                             

               Pan - African Students Society           Debating Society                                 Campus Radio                                        

               Economics & Marketing Society        UNAM Science Society                       Agricultural Society

               History Society                                       Malcolm X Society                                UNAM Environmental Society 

               Student Welfare Society                       Accounting Society                              Rotoract (District 9350)

               Muslim Students’ Society                    Bahai Students’ Association        Fellowship for Christian Movements

                                                                                                                                            (FCM)

UNAM LEISURE CENTRE

UNAM has its own Leisure Centre on the main campus where the university community can enjoy themselves with music, games and fun between classes and after hours.