Annual Report - University of Namibia

Female students constituted two thirds ofthe 1 550 students that graduated in 2009.way towards fi ghting poverty, ignoranceand nutrition-related diseases.The University continued with its emphasison applied research with a view of comingup with strategies to overcome challengesthat are facing the country. One of thosechallenges is food security. The countrycontinues to import up to 80 percent ofits food from South Africa. I am delightedto note that applied research by UNAM’sscientists has transformed wasteland inCaprivi into a thriving rice producingventure at Kalimbeza. The Governmentof the Republic of Namibia declared thisventure a national project during the yearunder review. The project harvested nearly140 tonnes of rice. This was more thandouble what was produced in 2008. Plansare at an advanced stage to replicate theproject in other parts of Namibia wheresimilar soil and climatic conditions prevail.This will empower our rural communities,create employment and will go a longFollowing the successful merger of thecountry’s two Colleges of Agriculturewith UNAM, Cabinet decided that thecountry’s four Colleges of Education willalso merge with UNAM. We view this asa vote of confi dence in UNAM’s ability tocontribute towards the improvement ofthe country’s education sector at bothprimary and secondary levels. With thismerger, UNAM’s enrollment will increaseto approximately 14 000 students, makingUNAM by far the biggest single academicinstitution in the country’s history.As Chancellor, I am confi dent that UNAMwill rise to the challenges occasioned byits expansion. I wish to thank the UniversityCouncil, Management, students and stafffor a job well done.Annual Report 2009 -x-