The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has entered a new chapter following the official inauguration of the institution’s new Council on Wednesday.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), Dr Sanet Steenkamp, formally ushered in the governing body, which will steer the university over a three-year term that officially commenced in September.
Bringing together expertise in higher education, public administration, industry and institutional governance, the Council is responsible for providing strategic direction, ensuring accountability and overseeing institutional governance.
Addressing the inaugural meeting, Steenkamp emphasised that the University’s success must be measured by its tangible contributions to national development.
“Our measure of success must ultimately extend beyond institutional rankings and strategic documents. It must be reflected in the quality of our graduates, the relevance of our research, the innovations we generate, the partnerships we establish and the practical contribution we make to the development of our country,” she said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Dr Leake Hangala, Council Chairperson outlined the priorities that will guide the Council’s work, with the implementation of the NUST Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) 2026 to 2030, leading the list.
“We must translate its strategic objectives into measurable targets, clear responsibilities, implementation programmes and performance indicators. We must establish a culture of execution, where progress is measured, performance is monitored and results are delivered,” he said.
Hangala added that the Council’s agenda includes the finalising of outstanding audits, establishing NUST as a University of choice for students, employers and internation partners, and operationalising the Eenhana and Otavi campuses. Additional priorities involve recruiting a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Human Capital and using its commercial entities to diversify revenue streams and reduce excessive dependence on government funding.
A highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Governance Agreement, underscoring the importance of accountability, effective governance and clearly defined responsibilities in the leadership and oversight of the University.
The newly appointed members of the NUST Council include Dr Leake Hangala (Chairperson), Patricia Olivier (Deputy Chairperson), Honourable Thomas Adams, Mbumba Haitengela, Gert Maritz, Isak Ndipwashimwe, Professor Bernadette Mwiya, Dr Fidelis Mwazi, Honourable Matheus Shoongo, Jessica Hauanga and Flora Gaes.
It further includes Professor Frednard Gideon (Vice Chancellor), Miriam Dikuua (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Operations), Professor Teresia Kaulihowa (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning), Professor Colin Stanley (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technovation), Selma Heelu (Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council), Professor Harmony Musiyarira (Senate Representative), Dr Gloria Tshoopara (Academic Staff Representative), Eino Shilongo (Administrative Staff Representative), Shoki Kandjimi (Alumni Representative) and Jerome !Nanuseb (Student Representative Council President).
