In October 2026 alone, Namibia recorded about 506,000 cyberattack incidents. The University of Namibia now has new tools to train the people who will fight back.

On 09 November 2026, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) handed over computers and supporting equipment, worth about N$230,000, to equip UNAM’s new Cybersecurity Laboratory (Cyber Lab).

The equipment was funded through CRAN’s Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT).

The handover follows a memorandum of understanding that UNAM and CRAN signed on 01 December 2025.

The Cyber Lab will give students hands-on cybersecurity training, support advanced research and build the technical skills Namibia needs as cyber threats grow.

Welcoming guests, Mr. Anton Limbo, Senior Lecturer in UNAM’s Department of Computing, Mathematical & Statistical Sciences, described the handover as an important step towards creating an environment for cybersecurity training, practical learning and research at the University.

Talent at home, threats everywhere

Ms. Sonja Coetzer, Managing Director of Salt Essential IT, used the 506,000 figure to show how urgently Namibia must strengthen its response to cybercrime.

She was equally clear that the country need not look far for answers, and that partnerships between industry and universities are key.

“We need to understand that Namibia has the talent and skills.

This collaboration with UNAM is critical in ensuring that our new digital economy is safeguarded, and that people can continue to grow, prosper and embrace new technologies,” she insisted.

CRAN Chief Executive Officer Ms. Emilia Nghikembua pointed to how heavily the economy, public services, education and everyday life now depend on secure, resilient digital systems.

She described the N$230,000 contribution as a strategic investment, arguing that universities need the right technology to develop the expertise that will protect Namibia’s digital infrastructure.

Speaking on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Kenneth Matengu, Dr. Joseph Ndinoshiho, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Development, thanked the partners and stressed that research and practice must go hand in hand.

“Research must inform practice. This equipment will be used to help students, academics and researchers learn, and the knowledge generated through research will, in turn, inform practice. We regard this as a partnership of strategic importance and are grateful for this collaboration,” he affirmed.

For UNAM students, the lab means gaining practical cybersecurity skills before they enter the workforce.

For Namibia, it means a growing pool of homegrown experts, built through a partnership between a university, a regulator and industry, ready to protect a digital economy under constant attack.

“So happy for my students. Another scientific exposure with the experts in a foreign country, thanks to the University of Namibia, Bremen University, the ERASMUS programme of the University of Bremen, and the German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA).”

That is how Prof. Lydia Ndinelao Horn summed up a two-week trip to Germany, where she and 2 of her research students took part in the IoT AgriConnect Summer Camp 2026, hosted by the University of Bremen from 17 to 28 August 2026.

The camp, part of the wider AgriConnect project, connects information technology with sustainable farming. Participants worked through three technical tracks: sensors and data acquisition to monitor crop health; machine learning for precision farming; and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in food systems.

For the UNAM team, the camp was a chance to link these tools to the field research they are already doing at home.

Mr. Atanasius Haingura Siwogedi, a first-year MPhil student in Microbiology and Biotechnology in UNAM’s School of Science, gained practical skills in isolating and analysing root-nodule bacteria from Bambara groundnut grown in Namibian soils.

“The experience deepened my understanding of how beneficial soil bacteria can improve crop production, soil fertility and food security while supporting sustainable agriculture in Namibia,” he explained.

For Ms. Eufenia Arexander, an MPhil candidate in Crop Science based at UNAM’s Ogongo Campus, hands-on training in DNA extraction, PCR and sequence analysis was a first.

“My recent research at the University of Bremen completely opened my eyes to the world of microbiology and molecular biology.

Now, I am incredibly eager to bring these skills back home,” she shared.

The visit grows out of a long-standing partnership between Prof. Horn and Prof. Dr. Barbara Reinhold-Hurek of the University of Bremen.

In 2024, the pair received the third German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA) from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research, worth up to €150,000 (about N$2.9 million).

Their project, “Advancement of the Namibian Agricultural Production Systems through Inoculants for Nutritious Food Practices Using Bambara Groundnut”, centres on Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), a protein-rich, climate-resilient African legume.

By introducing regionally adapted biofertilisers and beneficial bacteria, the team aims to raise yields, combat malnutrition and stunting, and secure food sovereignty for small-scale farmers in northern Namibia.

“Our partnership with UNAM has always been about building capacity on both sides.

“Seeing the Namibian students apply new digital tools to their Bambara groundnut research and learn modern genetic techniques in our lab to characterize the Namibian soil bacteria, shows how this collaboration can grow into lasting solutions for smallholder farmers,” reflected Prof. Reinhold-Hurek.

For UNAM, the exchange gives students direct access to international experts and emerging technology, helping to close the gap between laboratory research and field application.

“Our students work with Bambara groundnut farmers in northern Namibia to bring research out of the lab and journals to the field and improve production.

“In Bremen, they saw how sensors and data can tell us what is happening in the soil and the crop as it happens. That is how we bring the laboratory to the farmer’s field,” explained Prof. Horn.

The exchange was supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, ERASMUS) and the GAIIA grant.

Eleven engineers made history at the UNAM Leisure Centre on 09 November 2026, graduating as the first International Welding Engineers (IWEs) trained on Namibian soil.

Seven have already secured positions with companies, and the other four are going through placement processes.

The University of Namibia delivered the programme with the Association for Welding and Allied Processes of Namibia (WeldNAM) from 13 April to 21 August 2026.

It follows the International Institute of Welding (IIW) system, giving graduates the world’s most sought-after welding qualification.

Nine graduates were sponsored through UNAM’s RealTest Project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and implemented with the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL).

WeldNAM member companies sponsored the other two.

In a keynote delivered on-line by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Kenneth Matengu, he called the graduates pioneers. “You are not merely graduating into an industry. You are helping to build an industry.”

Skills for green hydrogen, energy and mining and the region 

The graduates are equipped for material selection, weldability assessment, inspection and quality assurance – skills needed in green hydrogen, oil and gas, mining, marine engineering and infrastructure.

The RealTest proposal anticipates a need for about 5,000 welding personnel over five years.

Prof. Dr. Matengu urged industry to employ the graduates. “Let us move from importing expertise to developing expertise, from participating in industrial development to leading it, and from possessing resources to creating lasting national value.”

“Every pipeline, pressure vessel and steel structure in these new industries depends on welds done right.

“With these 11 engineers, Namibian companies can meet international quality requirements with Namibian expertise,” stressed Dr. Thomas Alweendo, Chief Executive Officer of WeldNAM and Senior Lecturer in UNAM’s Department of Mechanical & Metallurgical Engineering.

He is also the representative for the whole African continent in the International Authorisation Board (IAB) of the IIW.

Prof. Thomas Böllinghaus, RealTest Project Principal, Acting Director of the Institute for Advanced & Applied Research and Technical Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor at UNAM, explained that the project was designed to make green hydrogen technologies safer.

Because these technologies depend on welded metallic components, they demand the highest levels of quality and reliability.

“We are humbled and proud that BMFTR is funding this immensely important course through the RealTest Project,” he acknowledged.

He described the UNAM course as a flagship: it is currently the only IWE course in sub-Saharan Africa, authorised by WeldNAM as the Authorised National Body (ANB) for Namibia, and is run under UNAM’s new Institute for Advanced and Applied Research.

“We strongly believe in the synergies between science, education and industry, and these 11 graduates are a marvellous outcome, as they are now qualified to work as leaders in industry, education or research,” enthused Prof. Böllinghaus.

“The next three cohorts will strengthen this process even further.”

“These 11 engineers prove that world-class welding education can be delivered right here in Namibia.

“Our next step is postgraduate study, applied research with industry and training that serves the whole Southern African region,” asserted Prof. Paul Kah, Professor of Welding Engineering at UNAM.

RealTest provides scholarships for 40 IWEs by 2028, especially for women and applicants from underrepresented regions in our country.

However, this funded scholarship model already serves as an impressive example and further organizations and industry partners have already declared interest to join in.

UNAM’s School of Manufacturing Engineering & Technology is now in place, and its Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering is accepting online applications for 2027 until 16 November 2026.

These synergistic collaborations represent a major contribution to emerge Namibia as a flagship country for welding and manufacturing technologies in Africa.

High in the Khomas Highlands, where some of the world’s most powerful telescopes scan the southern sky for gamma rays, UNAM astronomers welcomed a visitor from well beyond the world of science.

On 01 July 2026, H.E. Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, led a high-level Polish delegation to the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.).

The visit formed part of the Deputy Prime Minister’s official engagement in Namibia, which focused on investment, trade and economic cooperation. It also put the spotlight on a quieter area of partnership between the two countries: astronomy.

H.E.S.S. is one of the world’s leading very-high-energy gamma-ray observatories.

It studies some of the most energetic phenomena in the Universe, including supernova remnants, pulsars, binary systems and active galaxies powered by supermassive black holes.

Namibia’s location offers excellent observing conditions and access to the southern sky.

The international H.E.S.S. collaboration brings together scientists and institutions from 14 countries.

UNAM is a founding member, while Poland has been active for 20 years through institutions such as the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw and the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw.

The delegation toured the observatory and learnt how the telescopes operate, the science they enable and the collaboration behind them.

They were joined by Prof. Rafał Moderski, Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center and leader of the Polish H.E.S.S. group, and Prof. Tomasz Bulik, Director of the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw.

Prof. Michael Backes, Head of Astrophysics Research at UNAM and of the Namibian H.E.S.S. group, accompanied the visitors.

“H.E.S.S. serves not only as a research platform, but also as a platform for education, diplomacy and international partnership,” said Prof. Backes.

“While the telescopes are designed to observe the Universe at extremely high energies, the project itself depends on cooperation between people, institutions and countries.”

Growing Namibia’s own astronomers

Two UNAM PhD students in astrophysics, Tuwilika Simon and Hiiko Katjaita, also took part in the visit; a reflection of the role that student training and local capacity development play in Namibia’s growing astronomy landscape.

“Through its involvement in H.E.S.S., UNAM continues to create opportunities for Namibian students and researchers to participate in internationally recognised scientific work,” said Katjaita.

For UNAM, the visit was more than a tour of a scientific facility.

It reaffirmed Namibia’s place within a network of world-class research and strengthened the country’s position as a destination for future astronomical facilities, such as the Africa Millimetre Telescope.

“With sustained involvement from UNAM and international partners, Namibia’s clear and pristine skies continue to support discoveries that reach far beyond its borders,” said Simon.

Written by Hiiko Katjaita & Tuwilika Simon.

Five University of Namibia students have won a special prize at the Global HackAtom international student championship in Russia.

The prize earns the team, NamHack Innovators, a place at the Obninsk Tech Summer School in 2027.

The team competed in the grand final in Ekaterinburg on 14 and 15 September 2026, held during the Rosatom-backed International Festival of Youth.

More than 80 national-round winners from 15 countries made the final.

Finalists had just over 20 hours to design digital and energy-efficient solutions for future “atomic cities” and present them to judges.

The Namibian concept ranked highly in the Obninsk Tech track, which secured the team direct entry to the 2027 summer programme without further qualifying rounds.

The team is made up of second-year Bachelor of Computing students Muhammad Garba (24), Lemmy Nyambe (21) and Tylan-Dre Murorua (23), second-year Bachelor of Science in Physics student Lazarus Ndango (23), and fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student Catherine Beukes (22).

They were mentored by Mr. Meinolf Simbenda of the Department of Computing, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.

“Our students have proven that Namibian youth are fully equipped to drive global technological breakthroughs,” said Simbenda.

“Securing direct entry into the Obninsk Tech Summer Institute highlights the immense potential of our institutions to address real-world energy and digital challenges through interdisciplinary innovation.”

He invited ministries, industry and business to put that talent to work. “If you have a problem, approach the department and present your case study.

“This team built a concept for a city of the future in 20 hours. Our students are hungry for real challenges, and together we can solve them.”

For Beukes, the competition confirmed what Namibian students can do.

“We came from different programmes, and that was our strength.

“Standing next to teams from 15 countries, we realised we belong there.”

Ndango sees a direct link back home.

“Energy is a Namibian question, not only a global one. I want to bring what we learn in Obninsk back to solve problems here.”

Nyambe, who led the team, said the journey showed the value of working across disciplines.

“Leading this team from the national round to Ekaterinburg showed me what we can achieve when Computing and Physics work together.

“We delivered under pressure against the best in the world, and we’re ready to take that experience to Obninsk in 2027.”

The summer school is run by the Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.

It offers participants deeper study of nuclear science and technology alongside industry experts.

The team’s road to Ekaterinburg began on 04 April 2026, when it beat 20 groups at the Namibian national round.

Experts from MEPhI, the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R. E. Alekseev, and UNAM judged the round together.

The University of Namibia (UNAM) has handed over newly developed and protected spring infrastructure to three villages in the Kunene Region, giving rural communities better access to clean, safe water.

The official commissioning and handover ceremony took place on 28 October 2026 at Okorosave Spring.

The Kunene Springs Project seeks to improve the protection and sustainable utilisation of groundwater resources in water-scarce rural communities.

The project, implemented by UNAM in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), and in partnership with the SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), focuses on the development and protection of springs in Okorosave, Otuzemba and Okaokotavi.

It combines scientific research, stakeholder engagement and infrastructure development to address challenges associated with groundwater availability and water contamination.

Through the intervention, the spring sources have been protected against contamination, while storage tanks and reservoirs, pipelines, solar-powered pumps and communal water taps have been installed to improve water access.

The infrastructure is designed to ensure that both people and livestock have access to water without sharing the same abstraction point.

Speaking on the scientific objectives of the project, Dr. Innocent Muchingami from UNAM’s Department of Geosciences explained that the research goes beyond identifying and developing water sources, focusing also on understanding the underlying groundwater systems and how springs function.

He noted that the researchers are investigating how water flows beneath the surface, the geological conditions influencing the occurrence of springs and how contamination can be prevented at the source.

Groundwater at the heart of rural livelihoods

Mr. Sakeus Ihemba, Deputy Director of the Geohydrology Division in MAFWLR, said the project had made water safer and easier to reach for rural communities.

“This project made water safe to use for the community and ensured that clean water is brought closer to the community,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Eng. James Sauramba, Executive Director of SADC-GMI, spoke about the role of groundwater in rural livelihoods across Africa.

He noted that approximately 75% of people in rural communities across Africa depend on groundwater, mostly drawn from springs and boreholes, which makes protecting and managing this resource sustainably essential.

Eng. Sauramba said the initiative could serve as a model for other countries in the region, adding that SADC-GMI plans to upscale the project and share lessons from its implementation in Namibia with other African countries.

Representing the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jacob Sheehama, Campus Director of the Hifikepunye Pohamba and Oshakati Campuses, spoke about what the new infrastructure means for the three beneficiary villages.

“Today, we hand over protected spring infrastructure that will provide clean, potable water to three villages: Okorosave, Otuzemba and Okaokotavi.

“The project has protected the spring sources from contamination, so that water is captured clean at its origin,” he said.

Prof. Sheehama indicated that more than 5,000 residents per community, together with their livestock, are expected to benefit directly from the intervention.

Training the next generation of geoscientists

The project has also created opportunities for postgraduate research and practical training in geosciences, allowing students to contribute to scientific investigations while gaining exposure to real-world groundwater challenges.

One such student is Tuutaleni Angula, who joined the Kunene Springs Project in 2025 after receiving a project scholarship to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Geosciences at UNAM.

Angula said the project has given her the chance to take part in field investigations, collect and analyse data, attend training programmes and conferences, and engage with other researchers.

“One of the most memorable parts of this experience has been seeing the springs developed to provide communities with easier access to clean water.

“Having spent time in the field investigating these springs, seeing water flowing from the newly installed taps means a great deal to me,” she said.

She added that seeing fieldwork turn into working taps has shown her that research can do more than produce academic papers; it can improve the lives of people who depend on groundwater.

The project also acknowledges the contribution of UNAM’s Department of Geosciences project management team based at the Southern Campus in Keetmanshoop, particularly Dr. Josefina Hamutoko, Dr. Innocent Muchingami and Ms. Hatago Stuurmann, who managed the implementation of the initiative.

The Kunene Springs Project brought university research, government partners and local communities together to meet a basic need: clean water.

By protecting groundwater sources and building the infrastructure around them, UNAM is contributing to sustainable water management, research capacity and better livelihoods in rural Namibia.

The project forms part of the broader Sustainable Groundwater Management in SADC Member States Programme, generously funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) Multi-Donor Trust Fund, through the World Bank.

The University of Namibia (UNAM), through its Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) team, has brought together veterinary, healthcare and environmental practitioners to address interconnected health challenges in Sangwali, Zambezi Region.

The intervention, held in partnership with the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Wild Waters Group and the local community, translated scientific research into practical interventions addressing concerns identified by residents.

This initiative was informed by findings from the study Exploring Communities’ Perspectives and Experiences about Wildlife Culling from a One Health Approach in the Zambezi Region (EPECOH). Since June 2025, the team has conducted community surveys and related activities examining experiences of the Namibian Government’s 2024 drought-relief wildlife culling and meat distribution programme.

Research explored concerns surrounding meat safety, traditional leadership, indigenous knowledge and health risks where people, livestock, domestic animals and wildlife share the same environment.

During the intervention, a DVS team led by Dr Namusheshe raised awareness about rabies and vaccinated dogs. Clinical staff from Sangwali Clinic, led by Mr Lister Nchindo, discussed rabies management, malaria and other public health concerns while screening residents for high blood pressure, diabetes and other basic health conditions.

Ms Rachelle Lambrechts of Wild Waters Group delivered an awareness session on living safely alongside snakes, while community members participated in a clean-up campaign promoting a healthier environment.

Highlighting the importance of these interventions, Ms. Lisao Kamuhelo, a Forest Lecturer at UNAM explained that Sangwali’s location between national parks and grazing lands makes collaboration essential.

“Sangwali is between national parks and the grazing lands, so the health of people, cattle, dogs and wildlife there is one system,” she said. “The vaccination campaign and the health talks give the community tools they can use in their daily lives.”

The activities responded directly to concerns identified through the EPECOH study, including zoonotic diseases, environmental factors contributing to disease transmission and fears associated with living alongside wildlife.

The programme also distributed 110 drought-resistant indigenous tree seedlings, raised at UNAM’s Ogongo Campus nursery, to traditional authorities in the region. The species included Guibourtia coleosperma, known as false mopane or muzauli, and Berchemia discolor, commonly called bird plum or muzinzila.

Both species are valued for their environmental and livelihood benefits. False mopane provides shade, timber and edible seeds, while bird plum produces fruit that can be eaten fresh, dried or brewed. The seedlings are expected to support environmental restoration, provide resources for communities and livestock, and contribute to resilience against drought. Their growth will be monitored to document the growth rates of Namibian tree species.

Community members and traditional leaders expressed appreciation for the research findings, vaccinations, health screenings and seedlings, highlighting the value of addressing human, animal and environmental health together.

One Health recognises that these areas are interconnected and require collaborative responses. The Sangwali intervention demonstrated how scientific research and local knowledge can inform practical solutions to health and environmental challenges.

Funded by COHESA, with support from consortium partners the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), ISAAA Afri-centre and CIRAD, the EPECOH initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between researchers and rural communities.

The COHESA team is led by Prof. Simon Angombe, Principal Investigator and Associate Dean at UNAM’s School of Agriculture and Fisheries Sciences. The team plans to continue its One Health advocacy and extend similar interventions to other communities.

Original article by: Kamuhelo Lisao, Susanna Shivolo-Useb and Brighton Gorejena

A five-year study into how drought and grazing are reshaping Namibia’s rangelands has reached an international audience, with UNAM PhD graduate Dr. Faith Chambara presenting her findings at the Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meeting in the United States.

Dr. Chambara, from the Department of Environmental Science, conducted the research under the guidance of Dr. Wellencia Nesongano, Principal Investigator of the NamTip Project. She joined more than 2,600 ecologists from around the world at the conference, held under the theme “Ecology in an Era of Uncertainty.”

Her long-term experiment tracked how repeated droughts and intensive grazing are gradually depleting key forage species in Namibian rangelands, while also revealing the resilience of certain native plants able to withstand harsh conditions.

“It was encouraging to see how strongly the research resonated with scientists working in dryland regions globally, where many face similar environmental challenges,” Dr Chambara said.

She stressed the need for sustained investment in long-term ecological research, particularly restoration experiments that test how well these systems can recover. “This kind of research gives us critical insights for sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on dryland ecosystems,” she said.

Beyond her presentation, Dr Chambara attended scientific sessions and plenary discussions, and used the opportunity to broaden her international research network.

The ESA Annual Meeting is a leading forum for ecological research, drawing scientists, educators, students, policymakers and practitioners from across the world to address environmental challenges and advance ecological knowledge. UNAM’s participation reflects its ongoing contribution to globally relevant research and its commitment to environmental challenges facing Namibia, Africa and the wider world. More information is available at www.esa.org.

The study formed part of the now-concluded NamTip project, a German-Namibian collaboration examining dryland ecosystem dynamics under shifting climatic conditions. With droughts growing more frequent and severe worldwide, such research offers vital knowledge for sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and the long-term well-being of communities reliant on rangeland resources. More on the project is available at www.uni-potsdam.de/en/namtip .

The ESA Annual Meeting took place from 26 to 31 July 2026.

Long before most Namibians reach a pharmacy counter, many have already turned to roots, barks and herbal preparations passed down through generations. The two systems of healing, traditional and conventional, have coexisted for years, largely without formal dialogue between them. The UNAM School of Pharmacy set out to change that.

Closing the gap between two systems

The school hosted a one-day workshop, “Promoting Safety and Efficacy in the Use of Complementary and Traditional Medicines,” bringing together regulators, traditional health practitioners, academics and students to confront a pressing question: how can traditional and complementary medicines, already widely used across the country, be integrated safely alongside conventional healthcare?

Dr Boni Singu, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, framed the challenge plainly in his welcome remarks. “The question before us is not whether these practices exist. They do,” he said. “The important question is: how do we ensure that the public benefits from them while being adequately protected from preventable harm?”

For Singu, the aim was not to choose between systems of knowledge but to connect them, work he said depends on cooperation between government agencies, regulators, practitioners, healthcare professionals, academics and local communities.

Prof Petrina Kapewangolo, representing the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Development, opened the session by describing traditional medicine as a legitimate field of scientific inquiry when paired with proper rigour and regulatory safeguards. “Complementary and traditional medicines hold a vital place in many communities,” she said. “They are linked not only to cultural heritage and longstanding knowledge but also to livelihoods, natural resources, research opportunities, and growing commercial and pharmaceutical interests.”

Building a platform, not just a panel

The day combined discussion with practice: a panel on building a roadmap for integrating traditional medicines into mainstream healthcare, alongside demonstrations on formulating herbal tablets and capsules.

For pharmacists in training, the task now is translating generations of inherited knowledge into scientific language, and showing that Namibia’s oldest medicine cabinet has a place in its newest curriculum. Organisers have agreed to hold the workshop annually, turning a single day into an ongoing platform for exchange between regulators, practitioners, researchers and communities.

The workshop was held on 18 August 2026.

Ebenezer Martin, is a 3rd-year Bachelor of Arts in Psychology student intern at UNAM’s Corporate Engagement & International Relations Directorate.

What may have appeared to be an ordinary harvesting activity at the University of Namibia’s Zero Emission Research Initiative (ZERI) on 13 May 2026 carried far greater significance.

It reflected the growing role of research, innovation, and youth participation in addressing Namibia’s food security challenges.

The maize, planted earlier this year by student interns from the School of Science, forms part of ongoing research projects focused on sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and urban food production at ZERI.

Speaking during the harvesting activity, Senior Technologist at ZERI, Ms Isabella Ueitele, described the initiative as a reflection of the University’s commitment to sustainability and practical research that transforms knowledge into community impact.

“Today we are gathered here to celebrate the hard work of our student interns, and we will be harvesting some of the produce they have grown,” she said.

Her remarks highlighted not only the students’ dedication, but also the importance of creating opportunities where academic learning meets practical application.

Director of the Centre for Research Services, Prof. Davis Mumbengegwi, praised the collaborative efforts between researchers and students, noting that such initiatives contribute meaningfully towards national development.

For the students involved, the project represented far more than planting and harvesting crops. It became a platform for learning, experimentation, and innovation within the field of sustainable agriculture.

Third-year Biochemistry student, Kakuhire Makari, reflected on the broader significance of the initiative, emphasising that the activity symbolised hope and possibility for local food production.

“Alongside my colleagues, we are here to demonstrate that today is about more than harvesting; it is about proving that food security is achievable at the University of Namibia,” she said.

Associate Research Professor at the Centre for Research Services, Prof. Lydia Horn, explained in full context, that the initiative forms part of broader efforts aimed at identifying maize varieties best suited for sustainable urban food production.

“The students themselves were responsible for planting the maize, and we are now selecting the best-performing variety that can be carried over into the next planting season,” she explained.

Project Assistant and recent UNAM graduate in Microbiology, Ms Hilma Kano, described the experience as deeply rewarding, particularly after transitioning from student intern to project assistant.

“It is very rewarding for me to have served as a student intern last year and now return as a Project Assistant. This experience continues to enhance my skills and prepare me for future employment opportunities,” she shared.

Meanwhile, third-year Microbiology student, Gilliane Naris, explained that students were actively involved in substrate inoculation and temperature management within the mushroom house, contributing to broader agricultural research activities taking place at ZERI.

In addition to the actual harvest of maize, the event highlighted current scientific studies related to crop resilience and agricultural advancement. Nghishitivali David, a fourth-year undergraduate student working under Prof. Horn’s guidance on gamma-induced radiation mutation breeding research, provides evidence of this.

He noted that the research currently focuses on eight varieties, with variety five emerging as the leading performer due to its production of larger-sized beans.

“We are evaluating which varieties perform best in terms of yield and growth so that we can assist farmers and community members around Windhoek who want to grow their own crops,” he explained.

In another research project, first-year Master’s student Johannes Dawid is investigating the effects of Alectra on cowpea genotypes under the supervision of Prof. Horn. This is based on finding out how Alectra affects different varieties of cowpea and how farmers can better manage crop performance.

The harvesting activity ultimately demonstrated how research, innovation, and student participation can work hand in hand to support sustainable food production and community empowerment in Namibia.

ZERI sells a variety of crop products at UNAM, including beans, maize, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, and other fresh produce. For more information, please contact Ms Isabella Ueitele on +264 81 238 5615.