By: Julia Heita
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) has expressed concern over the setting up of Limkokwing University in Namibia.
Several reports have linked the university to the minister of higher education, Itah Murangi-Kandjii.
Nanso National Spokesperson Esther Shakela said they don’t support the idea of the government supporting the private university.
“There are ample institutions in Namibia that are fully owned and managed by Namibian, government funding must prioritise those institutions, and they should be given the necessary support to develop them into world-class institutions,” she said.
Shakela said resources should be ploughed back into the economy.
“It is a common practice for foreign universities/colleges/institutions to come to Namibia, seek funding from the government and then proceeds to offer courses already available in the country, which results in an influx of graduates into the labour market who have all done similar courses.
She said there need to be international efforts by the government to grow local institutions and not foreign-owned ones. She added that the organisation does not have an objection to setting up private foreign universities.
“but the contest for the private sector funding pie and at a time when locally-owned institutions need our support as a result of low economic growth and the devastating effects of Covid-19 on business, we cannot risk funding foreign institutions,” she explained.
On 28 September, Murangi addressed the national assembly on the issue and said that there was no signed agreement and was instead a wish list by the Malaysians and nothing materialised.
The minister also said that there was no agreement between the ministry or the government on Namibia.
“These are all fabrications that are aimed at tarnishing my good name and reputation, without any shred of truth,” she added.
Shakela said that they had not received any proof that Kandjii Murangi is linked to the university and is not in the best position to comment on the issue.
“Those are allegations that we do not have a responsibility of proving and that we have not proven in any given way for us to comment”.
She also explained that Nanso’s statement regarding the university is not politically affiliated and does not support Job Amupanda.
