NUST Joins Global Tropical Universities League
NUST has strengthened its international footprint after being admitted as a member of the League of Tropical Universities (LTU) and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s Hainan University.
A NUST delegation recently participated in the League of Tropical Universities Summit 2026, hosted by Hainan University under the theme, “Intelligent Connectivity, Shared Future: The Mission and Innovation of Universities in the Digital Era.” The summit brought together representatives from 121 institutions across 50 countries to explore collaboration in higher education, research, innovation, and digital transformation.
The delegation was led by Chief Legal Adviser Joshua Kaumbi, representing the Acting Vice-Chancellor. Other delegates included Dr Gloria Tshoopara, Acting Associate Dean in the School of Commerce and Human Sciences; Dr Godfrey Tubaundule, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training; Kaitira E. Kandjii, Director of the Alumni and NUST Foundation; and Theodora Mweuta, International Relations Manager.
According to Kaumbi, one of the summit’s key outcomes was the admission of Nust as a full member of the Tropica University, launch of the TropiLearn Platform, a digital initiative designed to facilitate the sharing of high-quality courses and learning resources among member institutions."This presents an opportunity for NUST to both access and contribute specialised programmes, thereby increasing its international visibility and academic reach," he said.
Discussions at the summit also highlighted scholarship opportunities, joint training programmes, credit transfer mechanisms, and student mobility initiatives among tropical and Global South universities. Digital education emerged as a strategic priority, with participants advocating for the expansion of smart classrooms, open educational resources, and responsible artificial intelligence frameworks in teaching and research.
Mweuta noted that conversations around AI for One Health were particularly relevant for NUST’s future ambitions. "The discussions on AI for One Health were especially impactful, providing a clear roadmap for NUST to advance interdisciplinary research, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and contribute to sustainable development in Namibia and the broader tropical region," she said.
Beyond teaching and learning, the summit explored how universities are adapting their operating models, strengthening student support systems, and expanding their contributions to innovation and economic development.
Kandjii observed that institutions worldwide are increasingly adopting innovative and sustainable fundraising approaches to support students and advance institutional priorities.
"Universities are embracing creative mechanisms to mobilise resources for students in need and other strategic initiatives. This reflects a broader shift towards building institutional resilience and long-term impact," he said.
Reflecting on graduate preparedness, Kandjii added that the challenge facing many graduates is no longer access to knowledge, but rather the ability to apply that knowledge effectively in real-world environments.
NUST’s participation in the summit reinforces its commitment to international collaboration, digital innovation, and the advancement of higher education solutions that respond to the needs of Namibia and the broader Global South.
