Namibia

University of Namibia

General Information:

The university is located at the capital, Windhoek. There are several faculties in the university. Further information can be explored from page http://www.unam.na/

Department in focus:

Department of Geography and Environmental studies is under faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The mission of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (DGES), embedded in and resulting from the mission statements adopted by the Ministries: Basic Education and Culture (MBEC); and Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science and Technology (MHEVST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM), is to facilitate the implementation of subject related programs defined inter alia by the latter institutions, their substructures and governing bodies. From the many dimensions implying these statements, the following are considered to be essential:

• with view to the MBEC's and MHEVST's curricula for formal primary and secondary education, to teach and educate students who want to become geography teachers;
• to teach, educate and train geography students who, through higher education, want to pursue a career in professions other than teaching, both in the private and public sector of the labor market;
• to improve the academic quality of human and instructional resources, i.e. ultimately the quality of education at large;

Objectives

The long distant target of the mission is to establish a regional and, perhaps, in some fields an

International center of excellence in geography teaching, research and consultancy in Namibia.

All members of the Department are subscribed to the International Charter on Geographical Education. Major objectives, concerns and recommendations expressed in this Charter are reflected in the philosophy of the Department and its plans, for instance:

• to assist students in their becoming confident, competent and emancipated members of the society who critically apply their knowledge and skills in many professions to the benefit of the development of Namibia;
• to further students' concern (1) for their contemporary and future environment which includes plural cultural heritage, natural resources, the politico-economic and socio-cultural system and (2) for the state of human well-being and ecologically balanced regions;
• to provide excellent contextual, learner-centered teaching, education and training of students.

These objectives are implemented through:

• research and consultancy in various fields of applied geography;
• iterative review and, whenever appropriate and necessary, reconceptualization of the curriculum and syllabi;
• staff development and post-graduate scholarships;
• fruitful cooperation with the Namibian labor market in order to create more professional job opportunities for graduates;
• furnishing the Department with equipment commonly provided for in geography departments, worldwide.

There are both undergraduate and postgraduate study programs. Postgraduate includes Masters and Doctoral Degree.

The department has international links and research programs.