PREFACE

THE PRO-VICE CHANCELLOR: ACADEMIC AFFAIRS & RESEARCH (PVC: AA&R)

The University of Namibia (UNAM) continues to take the lead in research performance in the country. Our academics in all our various Centres and Faculties are engaged in various research activities in the quest to create new knowledge and contribute to socioeconomic development. UNAM’s research output has been steadily increasing over the years. These are products of our high caliber academics and their post-graduate students. This is a great achievement indeed and our research output gears for greater heights in the years to come as we continue to create a more conducive environment for research by our academics.  

The University of Namibia has a huge responsibility to contribute to socio-economic development of the country by producing quality products through teaching, research, development, innovation and community service. Thus, my Office encourages staff members to engage in research that would help all stakeholders in addressing the challenges that face our society today; challenges such as poverty, HIV & AIDS, land degradation and desertification, climate change, social exclusion and marginalization, gender-based violence, food security, among many more. Thus, the UNAM Research Strategy strongly encourages the formation of research teams, which should form the nuclei of Centres of Excellence in order to conduct needs-driven research in line with national priorities as outlined in Vision 2010.

The Research & Publications Office (RPO) is tasked with the overall coordination of research activities undertaken by all UNAM staff. The RPO is spearheading the development and maintenance of research-related policies and procedures in consultation with relevant stakeholders. These policies will create a better and more conducive environment for our academics to conduct research and publish their work, at the same time keeping with global trends and standards. My Office has continued to disburse research funds to deserving applicants approved by the Research & Publications Committee. We expect more academics to submit research proposals that seek to address national priority areas. UNAM has continued to sponsor many academics to attend and present papers and posters at national and international Conferences and Symposia. Of much significance, is the participation of young and up-coming researchers in these activities and this will ensure capacity building at our university. I would like to encourage young academics to participate in research under the mentorship of more senior researchers.

Finally, I would like to thank all our researchers, funders, collaborators and partners who continue to contribute to the excellent research results of our University. Congratulations to those academics who have won various accolades for their research efforts over the years.

  
Prof. Osmund D. Mwandemele
Pro-Vice Chancellor: Academic Affairs & Research