Annual Report 2007 - University of Namibia

3.5 Research ActivitiesThe University continued to promote research and publications amongst its staff during the yearwhich resulted in a number of reports, journal articles, and conference papers. The Faculty ofAgriculture and Natural Resources continued with its research programme on rice cultivars for thenorthern part of Namibia; research on Sorghum at Ogongo, bush encroachment management;fodder production; crop production in the Namib desert along the coastal towns of Walvis Bay,Swakopmund and Henties Bay; and farming systems change for adaptation to climate change. Thesame Faculty also had on going research on food processing and value addition to fish, poultryand meat, as well as milk processing for small-scale farmers. Another topic being researchedduring 2007 in the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources was sea weed utilisation andvalue addition involving the seaweed Laminaria, as well as studying its rate of regenerationfollowing harvesting in its natural habitats.The Faculty of Education was also active in research in the areas education for all, inclusiveeducation, as well as orphans and vulnerable children. Several publications, including refereedjournal articles, chapters in books, research reports and conference papers were produced.The ZERI project carried out research to investigate alternative cost effective ways to growmushrooms using locally available materials, under various climatic conditions and seasonalchanges in Namibia.The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences was also engaged in research and publicationsand recorded nine referred articles, two books, and seven chapters in books, and a total of43 conference papers and reports. The main areas of research were in the topics of language,literature and linguistics, records management and e-government, information and povertyeradication, and information needs for the small business sector.The HIV/AIDS Unit, in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office, carried out a survey ofstudents to determine their HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, practices and beliefs, and producedtwo issues of AIDS Focus.The Faculty of Law continued with its research programme covering the areas of jurisprudenceand anthropology; constitutional law; customary law; human rights; and reform and traditionalauthorities and criminal procedure. A publication on commentary on criminal procedures wascompleted.The Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre carried out research on marine18