ZONE: 'Don’t belittle IUM' – Ngurare defends university against critics

Prime Minister addresses criticism
Ngurare has defended the credibility of the International University of Management, urging critics not to undermine private higher education institutions and highlighting their role in Namibia’s development.
Desmarius Hansen
  • 1 Day Ago

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has defended the academic credibility of the International University of Management (IUM), warning against public perceptions that, he said, undermine the institution.


Speaking at the 2026 IUM convocation held at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek last Thursday, Ngurare said it would be a mistake to dismiss the quality of education offered by the private university, praising its growth and contribution to Namibia’s higher education sector.


“We will make a mistake to belittle the quality of education, especially that of IUM,” he said.


His remarks come amid a long-standing public debate over the standing of private universities in Namibia, where institutions such as IUM are often compared with public universities, including the University of Namibia and the Namibia University of Science and Technology.


Ngurare also said he had hoped to continue lecturing at the institution, even after his appointment as Prime Minister. “When I was appointed Prime Minister by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, I still wanted to continue with my lecturing, pro bono, at this fine university.”


He described education as a cornerstone of socio-economic transformation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in the sector. He also encouraged graduates to approach the future with confidence.


“Walk tall if you must. Run if you must. But in whatever you do, you must lead the way,” he told graduates.


Graduating student Fernando Geiseb, who completed a Bachelor of Education Honours degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Mathematics and Agriculture, said criticism of IUM was often contradicted by the performance of its graduates.


“Questioning IUM’s quality has always been a query well answered through experience at the institution,” he said. “IUM graduates have consistently demonstrated professionalism in every field they enter.”


Geiseb added that the university’s inclusive environment and diversity set it apart from other institutions. “IUM has a way of bringing everyone together, fostering collaboration among scholars. It is an institution where diversity meets uniformity,” he said.


Ngurare also pointed to recent institutional developments as evidence of IUM’s growing contribution to national development, including the establishment of Namibia’s first Institute of Water Resources Management and plans for a state-of-the-art hospital.


“I wish to commend IUM for its leadership in becoming the first university in Namibia to establish an Institute of Water Resources Management,” he said. “This demonstrates that IUM is not merely producing graduates, but is actively contributing towards healthcare delivery, community upliftment, employment creation and social transformation.”