Plans are underway to establish an NUST campus in the town of Eenhana Town, Ohangwena Region. The rationale behind selecting Ohangwena for this project is that there is limited development in the area when it comes to tertiary education. Last week, Dr. Erold Naomab, the NUST Vice-Chancellor, visited the Region to assess the facilities that have been availed by the local authorities for the envisaged campus.
The delegation visited various sites which included land that was donated by the Eenhana Town Council, as well as already erected facilities that can be renovated or expanded, in accordance with the demands of the new campus. “There is sufficient consensus amongst all stakeholders, that we have to respond with urgency because the establishment of a higher education institution in Eenhana, is long overdue,” remarked Dr. Naomab.
The tour also included courtesy calls to the Patron of the Ongwediva Campus, HE Hifikepunye Pohamba; the Ovakwanyama Queen Mwadinomho Nelumbu; and the Mayor of Eenhana, His Worship Omri-onn Kavandje, who have been instrumental in the initiation of this project. All three leaders spoke extensively about the value of this project to the people of Ohangwena and beyond.
The campus will provide diverse programmes, including tailor-made industry short courses and executive education, in different disciplines that serve the local communities.
The first phase of the project is expected to be rolled out in 2021. This will require the provision of office space, a library, lecture rooms, and a computer lab. The premises will house the initial staff complement, who will be instrumental in transferring and further developing the University’s services to the Ohangwena Region.
The focal fields of study will be Technical and Vocational Education and Training; natural; and management sciences, amongst others.
Phase 2, which is set to be rolled out in 2023, will mainly focus on infrastructure development.
Hon Walde Natangwe Nevashiya, Governor, Ohangwena Region, emphasised the importance of resource mobilisation, saying that all key stakeholders must be brought on board to ensure the realization of this initiative.
In addition to this planned campus, NUST has ten Regional Centres across the country, that well-equipped to assist students with distance education.
A fundraising campaign for the project, targeting local and international partners, will soon be launched.