By: Stephanus Pombili
The International University of Management (IUM) stands tall today as Namibia’s most progressive, people-driven, and transformative institution of higher learning. Founded in 1994 by Professor David
Namwandi with a single student in a humble kitchen classroom, IUM has since grown into a national and continental symbol of academic resilience, innovation, and social inclusion. What makes IUM unique is not merely its rapid expansion, but its deep commitment to providing accessible, quality education to ordinary Namibians, those who once believed university education was beyond their reach. It truly is a university of the people, by the people, and for the people.
From its earliest years, IUM was established on a bold philosophy: that education must serve as a tool for empowerment, not privilege. Unlike elitist universities that restrict access based on background or status, IUM opened its doors to all Namibians, young or old, employed or unemployed, rural or urban.
This people-centred approach has changed thousands of lives across the country. Today, IUM operates five state-of-the-art campuses in Windhoek, Ongwediva, Swakopmund, Nkurenkuru, Eenhana and Walvis Bay, enrolling more than 25,000 students annually. Each campus reflects IUM’s vision of inclusive development, offering programs in education, business, IT, public management, and health sciences tailored to Namibia’s socio-economic needs.
IUM’s academic excellence is not measured by the size of its buildings, but by the impact of its graduates. Independent assessments conducted in various regions, including Oshana, Ohangwena, Khomas, and Kavango West, have consistently shown that IUM graduates are highly employable, disciplined, and professionally competent.
Principals, employers, and public institutions across Namibia praise IUM alumni for their strong work ethic, mastery of subject content, and leadership qualities. This success is a direct result of the university’s practical approach to teaching, combining academic theory with real-world application through internships, research, and community projects.
At the heart of IUM’s success lies a philosophy deeply rooted in African values and Pan-African consciousness. The institution believes that Africa’s development must be driven by Africans themselves through knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Under Professor Namwandi’s visionary leadership, IUM has become a model of African self-reliance; a university that does not merely import knowledge, but generates home-grown solutions for Namibia’s developmental challenges. Its motto, ‘Knowledge is Power,’ is not just a slogan, but a lived reality reflected in every graduate who contributes meaningfully to their community and the nation at large.
Furthermore, IUM’s inclusive financial support model and partnership with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) ensures that even students from disadvantaged backgrounds can access higher education. The university’s commitment to mentorship, entrepreneurship, and leadership training goes beyond academic certification; it nurtures a generation of thinkers and doers who embody Namibia’s national vision of prosperity, unity, and self-reliance.
In just over three decades, IUM has achieved what many thought impossible: a privately founded university that competes with and surpasses established institutions in both quality and impact. It is a living testimony that education, when guided by vision and people’s aspirations, can transform societies.
Indeed, IUM remains the best university in Namibia, built by the people, serving the people, and shaping the nation’s future.
