IUM opens N$45 million campus

The International University of Management (IUM) yesterday inaugurated its N$45 million high-tech campus in Windhoek. The new campus in Dorado Park has lecture halls, seminar rooms that can accommodate up to 1 400 students and 50 offices for lecturers and academic staff. IUM founder David Namwandi said the institution, which he spearheaded from humble beginnings, is heading in the right direction in making sure the youth get quality education. “It is our vision to establish a unique foundation of knowledge and a centre for excellence,” Namwandi said. Namwandi also said what makes IUM unique from other tertiary institutions is prioritising, and respecting the needs of the country and dedicating its efforts to enhancing the socioeconomic wealth of Namibians. He added that the institution primarily aims to train future managers who will steer economic growth for the benefit of the Namibian society. However, Namwandi said IUM is privately-funded and since its inception in 1994 when it started operating with only one student, and a start-up capital of N$500, the government has not given the university financial assistance towards its development. He said the funding for all its expansion projects has been coming from loans taken from various financial institutions. Vice-President Nickey Iyambo who delivered a speech on behalf of President Hage Geingob said education is a vital tool to eradicate poverty. “The inauguration of this building should remind all of us that government and private sector must be partners in this powerful weapon against poverty that we call education,” Geingob said. Through this initiative, Geingob said, thousands of Namibians will be able to access affordable tertiary education and urged private institutions to come and join hands with government to make education accessible and affordable Geingob said the government faces many challenges such as persistent poverty, access to land, quality education and employment opportunities, which need to be tackled saying these challenges retard development. The President further said his vision of prosperity does not entail owning million dollar mansions and luxury cars, but according Namibian citizens a decent standard of living. Geingob further added that in order to achieve prosperity better wealth distribution and exploitation of resources to cater for every Namibian should be the main focus. WINDHOEK KENYA KAMBOWE