1st Edition 2007 - University of Namibia

Photo: Utaara Hoveka
UNAM Forum 22
UNAM Student
Prof. Dianne Ashton (right) from the Special Needs
Unit who mobilised funds for Nanyeni’s operation
After years of living with
a hearing disability lost
during early childhood,
University of Namibia
Education student Paul
Nanyeni had his hearing
ability restored following
an operation to the value of about N$2 million
in the United States.
“I can now talk and hear. I am able to
communicate with my mother on the phone. I
am very thankful to the University of Namibia”,
a proud Nanyeni told
Vice Chancellor Prof.
Lazarus Hangula.
American born Prof.
Dianne Ashton from the
Special Needs Unit in
the Faculty of Education mobilised funding
for Nanyeni’s operation. She forwarded
a video tape of Nanyeni to U.S medical
practitioners, who all volunteered their
services free of charge. “It was the company
that manufactured the device, the doctors,
the hospital, the surgeons that all volunteered
their services”, said Prof. Ashton.
Describing Prof. Ashton as a “special angel
of our age”, Prof. Hangula expressed
appreciation at her fundraising efforts which
eventually saw Nanyeni having his hearing
has
Hearing
Ability
Restored
ability restored. “This is a very wonderful
act of humanism”, he compassionately
remarked. Prof. Hangula enlightened
Prof. Ashton about the possibility of the
university sending Nanyeni on a staff
development fellowship to complete his
Masters Degree overseas. “We will do
everything possible to see him progress.”
The University has a Special Needs Unit,
which Prof. Hangula wants to see Nanyeni
make a contribution to.
Nanyeni on his part said he would work
hard to encourage more students to take up
studies at university level. He also wishes
to design a sign language dictionary for
Namibia, which he says would hopefully
encourage more teachers to learn sign
language.
UNAM signs MOU with
Nanchang University
The University of Namibia continues to build partnerships with academic institutions around
the world, the latest being the Nanchang University in China. Under a Memorandum of
Understanding signed between chief executive offi cers of the two academic institutions,
the two universities have agreed to exchange academic staff and students for “practical
experiences and research.”
They further agreed to exchange “scholarly and pedagogical materials” as well as carry
out joint research, amongst others. The two institutions will jointly fund the implementation
of the agreement.