The Higher Education Landscape in Namibia

ERASTOPHINE UMANUKA MBUENDE NAMIBIA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY NQF OFFICER

THE HIGHER EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN NAMIBIA

BACKGROUND

No universities before independence Academy was established in 1980. Only two institutions; The College for Out of School Training and the

Academy. Technicon Namibia and the College for Out of School Training merged

after independence No points were part of admission requirements

HIGHER EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN NAMIBIA

PUPLIC PROVIDERS There are eight public providers; the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the

Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), two Colleges and four Vocational Training Centres in Namibia.

UNAM was established in 1992 by the act of Parliament, headed by the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor.

Courses are offered in English. Technicon Namibia became Polytechnic of Namibia and the later transformed

into the Namibia University of Science and Technology in 20015. Vocational courses were phased out.

PUBLIC COLLEGES

College of the Arts (COTA) Cota was established by citizens of German heritage in 1971. In 1990 it was renamed College for the Arts. The seven full-time degree programs currently offered are African Performing Arts,

Product Development and Design, Fashion Design, Television Production, Radio Production, New Media Design, and Music and Sound Production. Tertiary programs are offered as three-year courses of studies.

COTA's leitmotiv is "Lifelong learning through the arts".

Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) NAMCOL was established by the Act of Parliament , Act No.1 of 1997. Aim was to provide learning opportunities for adults and out of school youth. NAMCOL also offers higher education and Vocational trainings respectively.

PUBLIC PROVIDERS continue….

There are four Vocational Training Centres namely:

1. Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC). In 1991, The governments of Namibia and Germany sign an agreement making the

VTCN part and parcel of the official bilateral technical co-operation. After transfer of the VTCN to the Namibian government in December, the MLHRD takes

over responsibility for the training centre. In 1993 the VTCN is renamed “Windhoek Vocational Training Centre” and receives its

official constitution in February. The Namibian National Training Organisation (Pty) Ltd replaces the OBFN as holding company.

During bilateral consultations the German government commits itself to further support of the Namibia vocational training system and the WVTC.


2. Okakarara Vocational Training Centre (OVTC).

The Okakarara Vocational Training Centre officially opened its doors in 1997, it is the oldest centre under the NTA.

The centre conducts its operations under the realm of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Act, No. 1 of 2008, which makes provision for the management and control of all state-owned vocational training centres to be devolved upon the Namibia Training Authority, until such time that these centres, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the NTA, are transformed into self-reliant vocational education and training providers.


3. Rundu Vocational Training Centre (RVTC).

Formally known as Rundu Technical Institute, started in 1987. The mission is to provide training opportunities for young Namibians to

become skilled workers through vocational training.

The RVTC currently has seven fields of studies on a part-time and full-time basis, Auto electric, Auto mechanic, General electric, Brick laying/plastering, Plumbing & pipe fitting, Office administration and Joinery & cabinet making. Welding is currently only part-time but plans are underway to offer it full-time


4. Zambezi Vocational Training Centre (ZVTC)

Zambezi Vocational Training Centre operated under National Vocational Training Act, No. 18 of 1994 under the Ministry of Education until June 2008 when the Vocational Education and Training Act, No. 1 of 2008 was promulgated.

The centre first opened its doors in 1993 with an initial enrolment of 36 trainees training in 3 vocational trades and these were Clothing Technology, Joinery & Cabinet Making and Secretarial & Office Administration. Over the years, the centre expanded from 3 to 7 occupations/trades and these are: Bricklaying & Plastering, Clothing Production, Hospitality & Tourism, Joinery & Cabinet Making, Plumbing & Pipefitting, Office Administration and Welding & Metal Fabrication.

PRIVATE PROVIDERS There are forty one accredited private providers in Namibia. Examples:

Namibia Institute of Mining and TechnologyTechnical Vocational training instituteEstablished in 1991Offers courses in mining, manufacturing and engineering.

PRIVATE PROVIDERS continue…

The International University of Management

It was established in 1994 IUM is the first private university in the country. Offers more than forty NQF qualifications.

PRIVATE PROVIDERS continue…

NAMIBIA MARITIME AND FISHERIES ( NAMFI)

Established in July 1996 Provides maritime and fisheries training Seven NQF registered qualifications

REGLATORY FRAMEWORKS

There are only three regulatory frameworks in Namibia:

Namibia Qualifications Authority ( NQA) Namibia Council of Higher Education (NCHE) Namibia Training Authority ( NTA)

NAMIBIA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (NQA)

o Established by the Act of Parliament Act No. 29 of 1996MANDATEo To set up and administer a national qualifications frameworko To be a forum for matters pertaining to qualificationso To set the occupational standards o to inquire if any particular qualification meets the national standardso Provide advice on qualifications and standards

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION (NCHE)

Statutory body established by the Higher Education Act 2003, No 26 of 2003To promote; the establishment of a coordinated higher education system Access of students to higher education institutions Quality assurance in higher education To advise on the allocation of money to public higher education institutions Accredit programmes of higher education Monitor the quality assurance mechanisms of higher education institutions To provide a course or courses of instructions or training To assess the performance of persons partaking in any such course

PRIVATE PROVIDERS CONTINUE… NAMIBIA TRAINING AUTHORITY (NTA)

Regulatory body of the Vocational Education and Training sector in Namibia

Regulate and fund of the provision of Vocation Education and Training Contribute to the establishment of the an effective and sustainable

system of skills formation Promotes access , equity and quality in Vocational Education and

Training.

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

The Namibia Qualifications Framework was set up and being administer by the NQA.

NQF consist of ten levels defined by a set of descriptors. Ensure quality of qualifications and unit standards from accredited

institutions for registration on the framework. It is based on the outcomes of learning.

The Framework

CERTIFICATES

DIPLOMAS

Bachelor Degree

Masters Degree

Doctoral Degree

Bachelor Honours Professional Bachelor

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10NQFLevels

UnitStandards

Observation.

The NQA is the main regulatory body in the country. The challenge is that the power and mandate to close down bogus

institutions in the country are not regulated. The engagement of stakeholders by the institutions in development of

qualifications remains a challenge.

Conclusion

The higher education in Namibia has dramatically changed to better. To achieve and sustain development, it is necessary to ensure effective

education and training of the people.