The future of the Namibia University of Science and Technology

The NUST council is expected to appoint the most suitable candidate.
Monque Adams
Monique Adams





Two shortlisted candidates for Vice-chancellor got the opportunity to present their clear vision for the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), based on their attributes and experiences.

The director of ceremonies, Dr Lameck Mwewa, a senior lecturer of Geo-information technology, introduced the two candidates.

Dr Ernold Naomab, who laid out his presentation first, aims for NUST to have more students that graduate, through enhanced teaching and learning excellence.

Naomab wants to make NUST nationally and internationally relevant and in order to do so they need to advance research innovation and enterprise innovations. Transformative governance and leadership, N$1 billion digital revolution, enhance T&L excellence and high sustained national impact.

Dr Naomab is a scientist by profession and has the following qualifications: PhD in Plant Science from the University of Nottingham; Master of Research in Strategies Resource Management from Nottingham Trent University; Master of Science from the University of Namibia and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Namibia. Currently he is the assistant pro vice-chancellor at the southern campus of the University of Namibia.

Prof Frednard Gideon, the second candidate, is a man about numbers and statistics who took the co-operate approach for NUST with the following governance and leadership aims: streamline strategic planning, compliance and corporate governance and capacity building.

With the global pandemic that affected several entities, Prof Gideon wants NUST to fully tap into the digital world as well.

Professor Gideon is a mathematician by profession and holds the following qualifications: PhD in Applied Mathematics from North-West University; Master of Science in Mathematics from Rhodes University; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Namibia. Currently he is the pro vice-chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Namibia.

The NUST council had appointed one of the university’s top office-holders, Andrew Niikondo, as its acting vice-chancellor.

Niikondo, who was appointed with effect from 19 May 2020, takes over from Morné du Toit, whose acting term ended the previous day. Niikondo says he looks forward to wish the next vice-chancellor “good luck” and knows that the council will appoint the best suited candidate for this position.