Annual Report 2007 - University of Namibia

UNAM academic staff also served on statutory bodies such as the Board for Legal Education,the Law Reform Commission, the Namibian Qualifications Authority, the National Council forHigher Education and several others. The Council encourages the growing involvement of UNAMresearchers in providing the government and the private sector with consultancy services intheir fields of expertise. No university can exist without an active relationship with the society itserves.The budget allocation to UNAM remains a matter of concern to Council. It has remained stagnantfor the past four years, despite the growth in student numbers, the increased demand for researchfunding and the general impact of inflation on the institution. Council is nevertheless thankful forthe commitment of government to assist the University in the coming year with some of its longoverdue capital projects.Council will continue to encourage income generating programmes, aggressive fundraising and aprocess of involving stakeholders from all spheres of the Namibian society. Council is committedto broaden the donor base of the University and to enter into smart partnerships with the privatesector whenever it is beneficial for UNAM. Council envisages the day when the private sector,individuals and government will join hands to secure the funding to ensure the future success ofour national University.Council wishes to thank Management, the Senate and all the bodies of the University for theirrole in the smooth running of the institution. Council congratulates all the Faculties, Centres andother UNAM bodies for their accomplishments in 2007. The Annual Report again underlines theimportant role the University of Namibia plays, not only in the region, but as a respected memberof the international academic world.On behalf of Council, I present this Annual Report to our stakeholders and to the public at large.xvii