IUM hits 21 000 students in 2026

New cohort welcomed
IUM welcomed its new intake this week, marking the start of the academic year with a message of purpose, discipline and national service.
Marina Antonio
  • 9 Hours Ago

The International University of Management (IUM) officially opened its doors this week, welcoming a new cohort of students across its campuses.

The ceremony took place at the IUM Dorado Park Main Campus on Monday and was live-streamed to thousands more at the university’s satellite campuses. The event set the tone for the year under the theme, “Fostering Purpose-Driven Service for National Development and International Engagement.”

Officiating the event, Vice-Chancellor Osmund Mwandemele highlighted the university’s growth over the past 32 years, from a single student in 1994 to more than 21 000 enrolled as of last week, with admissions still ongoing.

“Our aim is to produce graduates who are not only confident and academically skilled, but also ethically grounded and globally competitive,” he said. He reminded students that university life is about more than earning a qualification; it is about becoming agents of change in society.

He encouraged them to approach their studies with passion and discipline, to resist temptations that could derail their futures, and to remember that people respond differently to life’s challenges.

The Student Representative Council (SRC), led by Rauna Shipalanga, also welcomed the new intake. She described students as stakeholders in Namibia’s development and urged them to make full use of the opportunities available to them, particularly in light of continued government support for subsidised education.

Founder and chairperson of the IUM Governing Council, David Namwandi, told the Class of 2026 that the university now operates on an international stage. “Whatever we do here should and must reflect international standards,” he said during the live stream.

Reflecting on IUM’s 32-year journey, he reaffirmed its mission of transforming Namibia through “Sound Education for a Sustainable Future”.

The ceremony also featured cultural performances. Andreas Shipanga (Shax Champion), Joseph Musekatwani (Jojo Muskat) and Alphons Maritshane (Phonny) entertained the audience, while Serenity Haitembu delivered a thought-provoking poem that resonated with the aspirations of the new students. The IUM Choir added a harmonious touch to the proceedings.