UNESCO chairs launched at NUST

Dr Hilma Amwele, from NUST was chosen as the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Research for Climate Adaptation and Saline Agriculture in Arid Environments, while Prof Dharm Singh Jat, was chosen as the UNESCO Chair on Secure High-Performance Computing for Higher Education and Research This event marks a long-term engagement in the development of Water and Agricultural solutions as well as digital services and innovations in support of socio-economic development in Namibia. “NUST is strategically positioned to take advantage of the Chairs to move beyond academia into more implementation-based policy- informing processes, aiming at the ultimate improvement of livelihood opportunities across the region and internationally,” NUST Vice-Chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab said.

A UNESCO Chair is a project and a team at a university or a higher education institution that partners with UNESCO to advance knowledge and practice in an area that is a priority for all parties involved.

Speaking directly to Dr Amwele, the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi emphasised that research in this area is critical to inform decision-makers on how to guide resource allocation as a priority for both the government and society. Addressing Prof Jat, Dr Kandjii-Murangi highlighted that “avenues for understanding and the use of state-of-the-art technologies at our disposal” be facilitated through this chair.

Dr Naomab further elaborated that NUST’s Strategic Plan is premised on three core success factors which are people, systems and sustainability, showcasing that NUST is taking bold steps to ensure institutional relevance.