UNAM opens 2026 with record-breaking 11 000 first-years

Calls for discipline, shared excellence and stronger collaboration
Addressing a record intake of more than 11 000 first-year students, the SRC president urged the university community to embrace accountability, partnership and purpose as the foundation for the academic year ahead.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 6 Days Ago

Standing at the podium before a record-breaking intake of more than 11 000 first-year students, SRC president Enrico Goseb delivered a keynote address that combined institutional pride with a sober call for reform.

Shortly after the event, he took to social media to describe the day as the start of a “new academic chapter grounded in purpose and unity”.

For many students, the highlight of Goseb’s address was his focus on accountability. At a time when student politics can sometimes feel removed from the realities of lecture halls and residence life, his message signalled a push towards greater transparency and responsibility.

Rather than simply promising a better student experience, he urged the student body to “set the tone” for the year through discipline and a shared commitment to excellence. “You are stepping into a university that is bringing strength and confidence,” Goseb told nearly 30 000 students watching across UNAM’s 12 campuses.

He added, however, that such a reputation must be earned daily by both students and the leaders who represent them.

The theme of collaboration ran throughout the ceremony. Goseb stressed that building “a campus we are proud of” requires a strong partnership between students and university management. By speaking of “shared excellence”, he placed responsibility on both sides, challenging staff to provide high-quality support while encouraging students to maintain the discipline needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive global environment.

Goseb was not the only leader outlining priorities for the year ahead. Vice-Chancellor Kenneth Matengu reminded students that their university experience should extend beyond earning a qualification. He highlighted the institution’s focus on transformation to ensure graduates are internationally competitive and able to contribute meaningfully to Namibia’s national development.

Alisa Amupolo, chairperson of the UNAM Alumni Association, reinforced this message by encouraging students to cultivate intrinsic motivation. She urged the new intake to build strong habits of self-discipline, noting that academic success is the result of consistent effort rather than chance.

If the energy of 25 February is any measure, the tone for the year has been set: leadership with purpose, and a renewed call for accountability across the university community.