NUST is committed to advancing gender equality in alignment with Namibia’s national development priorities and global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5). The university actively fosters an environment where women and men have equal access to education, resources, and opportunities. Through inclusive policies, targeted initiatives, and institutional support, NUST ensures that gender equity is not only a guiding principle but a lived reality across all areas of academic and professional engagement.  

Our Institutional gender mainstreaming initiatives focus on:

• Inclusive Education and Research
  NUST incorporates gender perspectives into its academic programs and research, particularly in STEM fields, promoting female participation in science, technology, engineering, and innovation.

• Leadership and Decision-Making
  We strive for gender balance in staffing, leadership, and student representation, empowering women to take leadership roles within the university and beyond.

• Community Engagement
  Our outreach programs address social norms and stereotypes, promoting gender equality as a driver of sustainable development in Namibia.

1. STUDENT ACCESS MEASURES

Tracking access measures

The Namibia University of Science and Technology, through its office of the Registrar, systematically monitors applications, acceptance, and enrolment by gender using comprehensive gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis. The data is managed through the Student management systems. As presented in the chart and table below, in 2024, females accounted for 54% of all applications received, while they represented 49.5% of the total student enrolment.

2024 ENROLMENT BY QUALIFICATION TYPE

POLICY FOR WOMEN APPLICATIONS AND ENTRY

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) operates under the Namibia University of Science and Technology Act, 2015, which outlines its objectives and governance framework. One of the core principles embedded in the Act and related institutional policies is non-discrimination and inclusivity. Similarly, NUST affirms its commitment to inclusivity and non-discrimination in the Strategic Plan 2021–2025. This ensures that no one suffers any form of discrimination. Therefore all applicants have an equal chance of admission, provided that they meet the minimum academic requirements.

WOMEN’S ACCESS SCHEMES

At NUST, several mentorship and support initiatives are in place to empower women, particularly in postgraduate and research contexts.

Mentorship

The Postgraduate & Research Hub [nust.na]  at NUST provides tools, funding, and community to turn ideas into impact - backed by world-class mentorship and state-of-the-art research infrastructure. It fosters a dynamic, inclusive research ecosystem where postgraduate students thrive through mentorship, collaboration, and access to cutting-edge resources. Students (including women) are supported through:

   -  Mentor matching with experts in their field

   - Workshops (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods)

   - Writing retreats

   - Access to study spaces and digital repositories

In 2024, The Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare organised a training as part of their EntreprenHer Programme, which equips women with essential skills to navigate the digital economy and grow their businesses. More than 25 women entrepreneurs learned to leverage digital tools, manage e-commerce platforms, and enhance customer engagement online at the Digital Literacy Training Programme for women micro-entrepreneurs in Khomas. Empowering Women Through Digital Skills! 

Scholarship Programmes 

NUST promotes external opportunities like the “For Women in Science” initiative, which supports women in Sub-Saharan Africa pursuing postgraduate studies in STEM fields. These are often advertised through the university’s research hub and are part of broader efforts to increase female participation in science and innovation.

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme includes targeted support for women pursuing Master’s and PhD studies in Namibia and the region. Postgraduate Research Hub 

The department of Student Services offers Social Welfare Services  designed to empower students especially women, by addressing gender-based challenges and promoting mental well-being. These services include the social welfare development workshops focusing on relationships; family planning, date rape and sexual harassment; stress management; and self-esteem. It also provides social welfare programmes which include violence against women and children, and alcohol and substance abuse.

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) was selected as a Southern Africa Node for the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA). The Node was launched on 19 February 2018. This project is implemented within the framework of Strengthening Advisory Capacities on Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) programme. The NELGA strategy incorporates crucial aspects of the Research and Development Strategy for Land Governance Innovation in Southern Africa. It also incorporates aspects of the envisaged Gender Strategy for the NELGA Node. Special attention is paid to the promotion of equal opportunities for African women in Land Governance-related careers. Gender in the NELGA scholarship programme 

Other Services

• NUST promotes women’s health through educational workshops on contraception, reproductive health, and regular screenings like Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening.
• NUST offers 3 months of Maternity leave to women in line with the Namibian labour law.

WOMEN'S APPLICATION IN UNDERREPRESENTED SUBJECTS

NUST actively encourages women to apply for programmes where they are underrepresented through targeted outreach, Female-focused scholarships/bursaries, mentorships, and partnerships with schools, universities, community organisations, government, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

2. WOMEN’S PROGRESS MEASURES

POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) demonstrates a clear commitment to non-discrimination against women through its student support services and social welfare programmes.

• Violence Against Women and Children Programme: NUST runs annual awareness and empowerment programmes that address physical and psychological abuse affecting women and children. These initiatives aim to sensitize and empower the student population with knowledge about the negative effects of gender-based violence.

• Workshops on Sexual Harassment and Date Rape: The university facilitates workshops that cover the legal and emotional aspects of sexual harassment and date rape, reinforcing its stance against gender-based violence and discrimination.

MATERNITY POLICY

Article 9.22.1.1 of the NUST Human Resources policy specifies that maternity leave shall be granted to staff members in terms of the Labour Act No 11 of 2007, Section 25.

CHILDCARE FACILITIES

The University does not currently have an on-campus childcare facility; however, several childcare facilities are located nearby, providing convenient access for staff members.

WOMEN’S MENTORING SCHEMES

NUST is committed to empowering women through mentorship and leadership development initiatives. Several programmes and partnerships support this commitment:

Gender and Leadership Initiatives:

• Student Representation: NUST has a Secretary for Gender, Health and Development within its Student Representative Council (SRC). This portfolio promotes gender-focused student initiatives and advocacy. Notably, women make up 45% of the SRC representation.

• Namibian Women in Engineering (NAMWIE): This nonprofit organisation is dedicated to empowering Namibian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). NUST students are encouraged to participate in NAMWIE’s programmes and networking opportunities.

• Forum for African Women Educationalists Namibia (FAWENA): FAWENA plays a vital role in promoting STEM education for girls in Namibia through mentorship and skills development initiatives.

TRACKING WOMEN'S GRADUATION RATE

NUST monitors graduation statistics by gender, and the 2024 data show that women slightly outnumbered men, accounting for 56% of graduates. This reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to promoting equal opportunities and gender equity in higher education.

POLICIES PROTECTING THOSE REPORTING DISCRIMINATION

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), through its Human Resources Policy, firmly condemns all forms of discrimination in the workplace. This includes discrimination based on race, colour, culture, ethnic origin, gender, economic or social status, political affiliation, or religious belief. NUST is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable working environment where diversity is respected and valued.

This institutional stance is in full alignment with the Labour Act 11 of 2007, which serves as the cornerstone of labour legislation in Namibia. The Act explicitly prohibits discrimination and sexual harassment in employment under Chapter 2: Fundamental Rights and Protections. It guarantees every employee the right to fair treatment and equal opportunity, regardless of personal or social characteristics. Employers are legally obligated to ensure that recruitment, promotion, remuneration, training, and termination practices are free from bias and discriminatory conduct. [lac.org.na] 

NUST’s Human Resources Department echoes these legal protections by implementing policies that promote equal opportunity employment.