1st Edition 2007 - University of Namibia

UNAM Launches
Masters in Security &
Strategic Studies
In an effort to aggressively tackle
issues relating to national and
global security, the University
of Namibia recently launched a
Masters of Arts in Security and
Strategic Studies. The programme
is designed for senior security
offi cials in the public and private
sectors of Namibia, the SADC
region and the world at large.
Speaking at the launch of the programme,
Defense Minister Major General Charles
Namoloh remarked that the programme had
come at an opportune time when the security
sector was faced with new dimensions
of human security. “The need for quality,
transparent and accountable operations is
the priority of the international community.
During yester years it was not a crime for
a serving member of the troop contributing
country to have had consensual relationship
with internally displaced persons, but
nowadays it is a crime of the highest order in
the eyes of the international community.”
He further stressed the importance of
academic skills in the day-to-day activities of
the Defense Ministry, saying it is particularly
helpful in formulating cooperation accords
with foreign stakeholders. “The exercise
requires some high levels of academic
UNAM Forum 10
competencies from the operational or tactical
components to provide well informed and
researched advise to the strategic leadership
of our respective institutions that represent
the large public of our nation state.”
Deviating from his prepared speech, the
Minister urged the university academic
staff to encourage students enrolled in the
programme to do their thesis on various
aspects relating to Namibia, charging that
some foreign theses written on Namibia
contained information that was not true.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor: Administration &
Finance, Mr. Zach Kazapua, reminded the
audience that the term security has assumed
a much wider meaning in modern times, and
was no longer confi ned to the prevention of
physical harm. “The challenges are: how can
human survival be sustained in the face of
depleting resources? Why can confl icts and
wars not be prevented when technology has
advanced so much? Why should there be
such a wide gap between the developed and
the developing countries when there are so
many trainable citizens in every one of those
developing countries?”
Twenty candidates in the employment of the
Ministry of Defense are currently enrolled for
the course.
...the programme had
come at an opportune
time when the security
sector was faced
with new dimensions
of human security.
“The need for quality,
transparent and
accountable operations
is the priority of
the international
community.