Students in Namibia engage face-to-face with Unisa representatives

Recently, representatives from the Western Cape Regional Office embarked on an outreach to Namibia, to rekindle and reaffirm long-standing relations between Unisa and its Namibian student community. This initiative aimed to provide students in outlying areas with face-to-face engagement opportunities – a rare chance for direct support and consultation with Unisa representatives.

Diane Coetzee shares a laugh with a current student

Planning for the outreach began in August, drawing on insights gained from a trip conducted in 2013. The decision to focus on Swakopmund, Otjiwarongo and Windhoek was guided by data which revealed that Unisa currently has 510 registered students in Namibia, most of whom reside in Windhoek. The visit was scheduled to coincide with the application period, in order to afford prospective students an opportunity to apply with the guidance of a staff member.

The outreach team, composed of representatives from Student Administration and Funding (SAF), Facilitation of Learning (FOL), and Corporate Communication and Marketing (CCM), included Diane Coetzee and William Boonzaaier from SAF, Jacques du Toit from FOL, and Vicky-Lee Lee Shew from CCM.

William Boonzaaier assists a student with their application

The trip followed a rigorous itinerary that saw the team travelling from Cape Town to Windhoek, before embarking on the drive to Swakopmund. After successfully completing their outreach there, the team moved on to Otjiwarongo before returning to Windhoek. In each location, students were invited to engage with the Unisa representatives, to receive guidance on their applications, resolve queries about funding and student administration, and discuss their academic progress and future academic plans.

The team’s visit went beyond the student sessions, as they also engaged with local stakeholders (staff at a correctional facility, police station, and municipality). This multifaceted approach underscores Unisa's commitment to building strong, lasting relationships with Namibian institutions, which could benefit both the current and the future student cohort.

A key highlight of the outreach was the focus on postgraduate studies. Jacques du Toit conducted consultations with prospective master’s and doctoral students, guiding them on research frameworks, research design and methodology. In one instance, a student working on indigenous knowledge systems (IKSs) benefitted from discussions around intersecting theories of information science and Africana philosophies. Other consultations explored topics such as educational leadership in the context of the 5th Industrial Revolution (5IR) and sustainable development in Third-World countries.

Jacques du Toit assisting a prospective Masters degree student

The Western Cape Region's outreach to Namibia was a resounding success, strengthening ties with students, alumni and local institutions. By offering face-to-face support, the initiative reaffirmed Unisa’s commitment to its students, particularly those in remote locations who often face challenges accessing resources. The feedback from students, and the partnerships forged, suggest that future outreaches will continue to make a significant difference in the academic journeys of Unisa students in Namibia.

* By Vicky-Lee Lee Shew, Acting Communication and Marketing Manager, Unisa Western Cape, with input from ChatGPT