A 15-member panel of representatives from the Namibia Council for Architects and Quantity Surveyors (NCAQS), the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) visited NUST’s Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction in September 2022. The aim of their visit was to review the undergraduate and postgraduate Architecture programmes offered by the Department. The joint panel of professional Architecture associations recommended “unconditional validation”, the highest-level validation status obtainable, which is recognised in Namibia, South Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations. This accreditation status is also recognized by a host of other countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and China, amongst others.
“Our Architecture programmes have now joined an elite club at NUST, as these qualifications are now recognized internationally,” said Dr Phillip Lühl, Associate Dean for the School of Engineering and the Built Environment. He added that this development enhances the employability of NUST’s Architecture graduates, placing them on par with graduates from other leading Architecture Departments across the world.
The unit is mandated to provide Namibia with professionals in architecture and related fields. In 2016/17 the review panel of the above professional bodies granted unconditional validation for the Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture Honours programmes. In the five years since its introduction, no fewer than 19 individuals eligible for professional registration as Architects with the NCAQS, have graduated from the Architecture Masters programme.
“I wish to congratulate the Department of Architecture, Planning and Construction on this significant achievement, the University as a whole and myself are incredibly proud of you,” said NUST Vice-Chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab.
International accreditation of qualifications makes it possible for graduates to register in professional categories both locally and internationally.