Matengu prevails as Unam boss

Associate professor Kenneth Matengu has been appointed as the third vice-chancellor of the University of Namibia (Unam) and will officially take up the post on 1 September.Matengu is currently the pro-vice-chancellor for research and innovation at the institution. He replaces Professor Lazarus Hangula, who led Unam for 14 years.Matengu, who is a Unam alumnus, joined the university in 1996 as a first-year student and during his second year became part of Unam's multidisciplinary research centre as a student intern.He has since served in various roles as a staff member. He is also an honorary visiting professor at Cardiff University in Wales.In his role as vice-chancellor he will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer at the university and will report to the Unam Council. The vice-chancellor's core responsibility is to provide executive leadership and implement the policies of the university council.Matengu will also ensure that the university's resources are used in ways that most effectively advance its approved mission and the strategic plan.During his presentation to motivate his candidature for the position, Matengu said he would sell Unam's debt to recover monies owed to the university. According to him, while recovering the debt would be a problem, owing to the financial headwinds currently being experienced in the country, he would securitise the debt. “We are unlikely to get that money due to the current economic situation. What I will do is that I will securitise the student debt. There are people with the appetite to buy debt.“For example, I will sell the debt for N$450 million, and N$50 million would be the collectors' profit. This is doable. I have already discussed it with some people,” he said.Matengu holds a PhD in Human Geography with specialisation in innovation, technology and development. He also has a Licentiate of Social Sciences in Diffusion of Innovation, a Masters' in of Social Science in Natural Resources and Tourism Development, and also holds a Diploma in Environmental Law-Making and Diplomacy from the University of Eastern Finland.Matengu also has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Geography from Unam.He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters, as well as international conference papers. In addition, Matengu has led numerous commissioned and consultancy research projects and has managed research grants from various governments.Before his vice-chancellor appointment, Matengu served as a research professor and director of external and international relations at Unam and was responsible for building partnerships, negotiating agreements and promoting the university's international visibility.OGONE TLHAGE

Matengu prevails as Unam boss

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-15

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Matengu prevails as Unam boss

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-15

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