Historic agreement opens doors for Namibian veterinarians

Namibia has taken a bold step in regional integration after the University of Namibia (UNAM) secured a historic Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) and the Namibian Veterinary Council (NVC). The deal, signed in Pretoria, marks the first time on the continent that two veterinary councils have committed to automatically recognising each other’s qualifications, eliminating additional examinations for graduates.The agreement follows a rigorous joint accreditation audit in November 2024, during which the SAVC, NVC and Namibia’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) assessed UNAM’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) programme. The evaluation, based on 12 globally accepted standards, confirmed the programme’s compliance with international benchmarks.UNAM Vice-Chancellor Kenneth Matengu hailed the development as a milestone not only for Namibia but for Africa at large: “This is a proud moment for UNAM and Namibia,” remarked Kenneth Matengu. “It affirms the international merit of our qualifications, and specifically the veterinary qualification, and speaks to the high standards upheld by our School of Veterinary Medicine since its inception.”Centre of expertiseSince its establishment in 2014, UNAM’s School of Veterinary Medicine has steadily grown into a centre of expertise, producing its first graduates in 2019. Until now, these graduates had to sit additional board examinations before being allowed to practise in South Africa. Under the new system, Namibian-trained veterinarians gain direct eligibility for registration with the SAVC – while South African graduates can register seamlessly in Namibia.Associate Dean of the School, Anna Marais, highlighted the cross-border impact: “This milestone is more than an administrative achievement; it reflects mutual trust between the two Veterinary Councils and a shared commitment to animal, human, and environmental health across our borders. It also affirms that our programme meets globally recognised benchmarks.”The breakthrough adds momentum to regional harmonisation in veterinary education, with Botswana already recognising UNAM graduates. Backed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the initiative is the first of its kind in Africa and could become a blueprint for similar agreements across the continent.With this achievement, UNAM’s veterinary school is positioning itself as a hub of excellence in southern Africa, while setting the tone for continental cooperation in higher education and health.

Historic agreement opens doors for Namibian veterinarians

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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Historic agreement opens doors for Namibian veterinarians

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

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