NUST TAKES A STRATEGIC LEAP TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
In the vibrant and historic coastal town of Lüderitz, where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) officially marked the launch of its new southern Campus with a series of events on 24 and 25 September 2024. The celebrations began with a Public Lecture, followed by a Fundraising Gala Dinner and the grand finale of the Official Launch, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and plaque unveiling.
Engaging Communities on Oil and Gas
The Public Lecture, sponsored by Reconnaissance Energy Namibia (ReconNamibia), was held under the theme Community Participation, Engagement, and Consultation in Oil and Gas. The lecture, facilitated by Prof Samuel John from NUST, a Green Hydrogen expert, brought together panelists from academia, industry and the community. As the aforementioned industries continue to boom, the discussions placed emphasis on the need to ensure sustainability, highlighting the need to build trust with local communities.
The Lüderitz youth actively took part in the conversations, posing hard-hitting questions to the panelists and expressing their interest in getting access to education, especially in the programmes available at the campus.
A Vision for the Future
The Fundraising Gala Dinner was hosted by media personality, Ms Ilke Platt and the University’s Artificial Intelligence Director of Ceremonies, known as NUSTia. “Tia” means “my” in Khoekhoe, hence the name translates to My NUST. The well-attended event saw prominent industry leaders, government officials and community leaders from across various sectors gathering to raise funds for the development of the campus and student scholarships. Donors still have the opportunity to make pledges by contacting the University’s Alumni and NUST Foundation at alumni@nust.na
A First of its Kind
During the Official Launch, Dr Erold Naomab, the NUST Vice-Chancellor, highlighted that: “The campus is built on a Science and Technology Park (STP) model. STPs are not just physical spaces—they are ecosystems of innovation. They bring together academia, industry, and government to collaborate on solutions that drive economic growth, foster entrepreneurship, and create jobs. The Lüderitz Campus STP will be the first of its kind in Namibia, offering state-of-the-art facilities where research meets real-world applications.”
Prof Peter Katjavivi, the Speaker of the National Assembly and NUST Chancellor, spoke highly of the region: “The establishment of the Lüderitz Campus acknowledges the unique potential of this region, its rich history and cultural heritage, and the promise it holds for future growth and development. This campus will serve not only Lüderitz but also the surrounding areas, creating a ripple effect of educational empowerment.”
Strategic Partnerships
In addition to the campus launch, NUST also celebrated a significant milestone with the formal signing and handing over of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between NUST, the Lüderitz Town Council, Kelp Blue, and the Bremen University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The agreements will foster collaboration in research, sustainability, and industrial innovation, further solidifying Lüderitz as a hub for transformative projects.
In particular, the partnership with Bremen University enables international mobility for both students and faculty, allowing them to gain global perspectives on education and research. This exchange enhances the academic experience, offering NUST students and staff exposure to world-class facilities, research programmes, and innovative teaching methods in Germany.
Secured Land for Future Development and Expansion
Plans to expand the Campus are scheduled for 2025, on land that has been procured by the University and will be used for labs and student accommodation, amongst others.
The celebrations concluded with an informative career guidance session, where learners in the region had the opportunity to engage Faculty representatives.
