NUST Deepens International Innovation Ties Through UNIICo-Create Study Visit
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) recently participated in a high-impact international study visit to the University of Montpellier, France, under the EU-funded and THENSA-led UNIICo-Create project. The visit took place from 2 to 5 June 2025 and formed part of a broader initiative to strengthen university-industry collaboration across Africa and Europe.
Hosted by the University of Montpellier’s Faculty of Management and International Relations Department, the visit provided a platform for consortium members to exchange ideas and approaches on embedding sustainable entrepreneurship within higher education institutions.
The NUST delegation comprised Dr Anna Matros-Goreses (Executive Director: Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships), Prof Efigenia Semente (Executive Dean: Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education), and Ms Valerie Garises (Director: Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship). The team engaged in practical workshops, institutional dialogues, and exposure visits aimed at enhancing institutional capacity and aligning innovation strategies with regional development objectives.
“This opportunity allowed us to observe how entrepreneurship education is integrated within the academic ecosystem in Montpellier, and how these models can be contextualised for Namibia,” noted Dr Matros-Goreses.
Special recognition is extended to Prof Sylvie Sammut, Director of the Chaire AE2i – Lab Entreprendre, and Ms Nadia Lagarde, Deputy Director of the International Relations Office, for their leadership. The coordination efforts of Lili Arbrun and Nina Augustyniak also contributed significantly to the success of the visit.
Key insights gained from the engagement include:
- Strategies for embedding entrepreneurship within curricula and institutional strategy;
- Collaborative models linking universities to local municipalities and regional development agendas;
- Mechanisms for building resilient innovation ecosystems through inter-sector partnerships.
Building on this momentum, NUST looks forward to continued collaboration under the UNIICo-Create project and to further leveraging international partnerships to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
