Student life at the University of Namibia (UNAM) came back to life on Monday as students returned to in-person teaching and learning, after nearly two years of online education.
Students’ excitement to be back on campus was palpable as many rushed through the main entrance to reunite with friends and classmates for the first time in a long time. Most students looked forward to attending classes the traditional way, an experience most first years missed out on, over the past two years.
One such student Polli Andima, a 2nd-year Bachelor of Chartered Accounting student expressed that his University career did not start the way he anticipated, but he now looks forward to the social experience part of it. “Being on campus is exhilarating. I am looking forward interacting with lecturers and classmates, and doing some extra work”, said Andima.
4th year Media Studies student, Hamunyera Kuleni conveyed that he couldn’t be more excited to be back on campus and do school the normal way.
“The abrupt shift to online classes made being a university student very tedious. I missed the excitement to come to campus, attend classes, and the whole 9 yards. This experience, in a strange way, taught me a lot.”
Welcome back to campus
Students’ return to campus was graced with a warm welcome by the Directorate of Student Affairs who organised a welcome back to campus initiative for new and continuing students.
This initiative took place at the entrance of UNAM’s central campus in Windhoek, in which the directorate gave students lollipops with messages attached to them.
Student counsellor, Nyomonee Tjihukununa, remarked that the welcoming initiative was inspired by the value students bring to the University.
“Without our students, the University is merely well-designed buildings and lovely landscaped parks. Our students are the heart of our institution!”
“The campus has been dull without students, and we are so happy to have them back”, explained an elated Tjihukununa.
A delighted Kuleni further expressed: “The welcoming reception at the gate was very nice. It made me feel special, and I am sure most students will go through this whole week with a big smile on their faces.”
