Annual Report - University of Namibia

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICEManager: Associate Prof Isaac MapaureRESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICEThe University of Namibia Research& Publications Offi ce (RPO),continued to carry out its mandatein 2009 under the leadership of theResearch Coordinator, Associate Prof.Isaac Mapaure, assisted by his Deputy DrKenneth Matengu and Ms Pam Claassen,the Research and Publications Offi cer.Faculties and Centres of the Universitywere requested to defi ne their strategicresearch directions and develop researchstrategies spanning a few years to come.These strategies were translated intoAnnual Management Action plans inthe broader framework of the Faculty’s/Centre’s strategic planning process.The Research Coordination team visiteda number of Centers and Faculties asa follow-up to this process. The mainobjectives of the visits were, amongothers, to:• get an overview from Deans/Directorsand their Deputies about currentresearch being conducted in theFaculty/Centre, plans for publishingand challenges faced;• discuss some issues that arose fromthe draft Faculty/Centre ResearchStrategies; and• Highlight some of the planned activitiesof the Research & Publications Offi cefor the year and how Faculties/Centerscould contribute to the success of theprogramme.Revitalization of Faculty/Centre researchmanagement structuresIn order to improve research managementat the Faculty and Centre levels, a reviewof the terms of reference for the Researchand Publications Committee (RPC)representatives was embarked upon.This was aimed at making them moreeffective and expand their mandatebeyond reviewing research proposals. Therevised terms of reference were approvedby the Research and PublicationsCommittee. Faculty/Centre Researchand Publications Committees will now bestanding committees rather than ad hoc,which have the liberty to co-opt selectedindividuals as per need. This would ensurecontinuity and sustainability in researchmanagement structures at the university.The Deputy Research Coordinator Dr.Matengu, gave an overview of researchactivities at UNAM on various radio stations.He addressed a number of questions thatwere raised by the media. A brochureand a quarterly Research Brief was alsodrafted in order to reach out more to thecommunity. The Research Coordinator,Annual Report 2009 -69-