RESEARCH REPORT 2015
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
Compiled by: Dr H.M. Kapenda Dr A.T Kanyimba Ms P. Claassen Ms K.P. Mbulu
October 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS ............................................................................... 4 MISSION ............................................................................................................................... 4 VISION ..........................................................................................................................
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MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR ..................................................................... 5 MESSAGE FROM THE PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR: RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................... 6 MESSAGE FROM THE RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICE ................................. 8 1.
ACTIVITIES OF FACULTIES ................................................................................ 9
1.1
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES ......................... 9
1.2
FACULTY OF EDUCATION ................................................................................ 22
1.3
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ................................... 34
1.4
FACULTY OF LAW ............................................................................................. 40
1.5
FACULTY OF SCIENCE ...................................................................................... 43
1.6
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH ............................................... 78
2.
ACTIVITIES OF ACADEMIC CENTRES AND CAMPUSES .............................. 82
2.1
HIFIKEPUNYE POHAMBA CAMPUS ................................................................ 82
2.2
KATIMA MULILO CAMPUS ............................................................................... 86
2.3
KHOMASDAL CAMPUS ..................................................................................... 94
2.4
OGONGO CAMPUS ............................................................................................. 98
2.5
RUNDU CAMPUS .............................................................................................. 105
2.6
SAM NUJOMA CAMPUS ................................................................................... 108
2.7
SOUTHERN CAMPUS........................................................................................ 115
2.8
LANGUAGE CENTRE........................................................................................ 119
2.9
MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTRE ................................................. 123
2.10
CENTRE FOR OPEN, DISTANCE AND E-LEARNING .................................... 135
2.11
CENTRE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MANAGEMENT ..................... 145
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MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS
MISSION To provide quality higher education through teaching, research and advisory services to our customers with the view to produce productive and competitive human resources capable of driving public and private institutions towards a knowledge-based economy, economic growth and improved quality of life.
VISION To be a beacon of excellence and innovation in teaching, research and extension services.
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MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR
Prof. Lazarus Hangula ViceChancellor UNAM’s research responsibility emanates from the University of Namibia Act (No.18 of 1992), which clearly stipulates that the university shall undertake research, advance and disseminate knowledge for the socio-economic development of our nation and beyond. Therefore, with the establishment of the Centre for Research and Publications more than three years ago, the University of Namibia has persistently demonstrated its commitment to produce and achieve quality research outputs by encouraging staff members to publish in high impact journals. Even with limited resources due to economic crisis experienced nationwide, our researchers have managed to exceed the targets set in our five-year UNAM Strategic Plan. Hence I want to applaud all UNAM staff members for the efforts they put in finding time to do research and to publish and I want to encourage them to continue doing more research especially those outputs that talk to the national priorities. The celebration of the annual UNAM Research Day event that took place on the 8 th October 2015 at Khomasdal campus was another milestone in making research outputs visible; not just to the UNAM community members but to other stakeholders also. The theme for this year “Education, Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development: 2015 and Beyond” was chosen to fit in with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, specifically with emphasis on looking what can be achieved beyond 2015. Therefore, as we approach the end of 2015, I want to emphasize that the University will continue to support research related activities that enhance and promote UNAM ranking to make it visible not just nationally but globally as well. The establishment of the office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Development is one step ahead to illustrate our commitment in this regard. Last but not least, let me take this opportunity to all our partners, private and government institutions, national and international funders who have sustained our research and innovation activities over the past years. Thank you very much!
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR: RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Prof. Kenneth Matengu Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation & Development) In this 21st century when most higher education institutions strive to be centres of excellence, specifically in research, the University of Namibia is no exception. Over the past three years, a lot of diverse research activities had been conducted in the various fields of higher education. UNAM Faculties and Centres across the country excelled in their research drive and I want to commend them for making UNAM claim its share in the world of knowledge production. During the year under review, UNAM produced 460 scholarly publications, about two-thirds of which were refereed journal articles. The number of successful grant applications from external sources of funding continued to increase to 59 projects amounting to 9.7 million. Research and Publications Office facilitated applications for funding from the National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST). Consequently, funding was obtained for 17 research projects under the Namibia/South Africa Collaborative Research Programme and a further 15 were funded under the NCRST’s to the tune of over N$ 8 million over a two-year period. This is a commendable achievement indeed. But more must be done in 2016. I therefore wish to urge all academic staff members to continue to engage in collaborative research locally and internationally so as to increase our research output and to promote internationalization, globalization and networking relationships with other institutions of higher learning. We need to strengthen the dissemination of our research outputs and make it more visible and applicable to our stakeholders. Our society still continues to experience challenges such as poverty, unemployment, looming energy crisis, HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases, gender-based violence, food insecurity, environmental degradation, climate change, desertification, and many others. These challenges need innovative responses. Therefore, research, training, innovation and technology transfer are key aspects that can help in solving the above-mentioned challenges. In 2016, our efforts will be shifting from making research meaningful to making research outputs more usable and impactful.
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Finally, I want to thank all our academic staff members, international funders and collaborators for working with us to grow from strength to strength. We look forward to consolidating our great partnerships in the coming years!
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MESSAGE FROM THE RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
Dr Hileni Kapenda Director Centre for Research and publications During the year under review The Research and Publications Office (RPO) continued to provide research support services to the UNAM community, under the leadership of Prof. Isaac Mapaure and Dr Hileni Kapenda. The RPO together with the UNAM Press conducted a workshop on Research Policies and Scholarly Communications from 25-26 February 2015 at the Sam Nujoma Campus. The workshop was well attended an evoked several stimulating discussions during the group work sessions. During April, the RPO conducted a workshop with selected six Taskforce UNAM staff members to further develop the guidelines and regulations for research ethics. The regulations are now in the final stages for approval by Senate. In recognition of his contribution in research and innovation management, Prof. Mapaure received the SARIMA Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Research Management Profession. The award was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa. Dr H. M. Kapenda received a Meritorious Award for ‘Best Academic Performance’ in recognition of outstanding service in the Faculty of Education (UNAM) for the year 2014. As in previous years, the RPO spearheaded the Research and Innovation Day, which was held on 8 October this year at the Khomasdal Campus. The theme for this year was Education, Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development: 2015 and Beyond. The event was well attended by several dignitaries, staff members, students and the wider public. 8
The RPO will continue to carry out its mandate as stipulated in the UNAM key policies that guide it work. The year also ended its five-year term for the Office’s current leadership. As is the norm, next year will see a new cadre of leadership for the RPO.
1.
ACTIVITIES OF FACULTIES
1.1
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DEAN’S STATEMENT In addition to teaching, Faculty lecturers spend a significant amount of time (more than 40%) doing research on various management topics. I would like to emphasize how research informs the teaching aspect of the Faculty. In addition to teaching, Faculty lecturers spend a significant amount of time (more than 40%) doing research on various management topics. I would like to emphasize how research informs the teaching aspect of the Faculty. The Faculty invests in research to create and disseminate knowledge that benefits industry, government and society. Research findings are often adopted in industry practice – for example, rice and barley research. A lot of the research done by the Faculty is also used to advise government and influence public policy. 9
In the FANR, we place central importance on research. But how do students benefit from the research that the Faculty undertakes? In a nutshell, the quality of the research directly translates to the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom. Here are some of the ways that students can benefit: Given the rigour of the research, Faculty personnel exploring a certain area become experts on the matter and they share their insights with students. They are able to explain to students why things work the way they do. They help students understand the theory by illustrating it with examples from experience. Learning from the lecturers, who are deeply, intellectually involved with a subject, is in itself an experience as the depth of coverage of the subject is far superior.
While the Faculty is conducting research and publishing cases, it often works very closely with various organisations and companies, and has direct access to decision makers. Lecturers get an inside look at what transpired behind the scenes and are able to understand the context in which difficult decisions were taken. When Faculty personnel use their own cases and research as teaching aids, classroom discussions become immensely richer and more insightful, and students are able to uncover nuances that they cannot normally get from just following textbooks. Dr Simon Angombe Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Tel: +264 (0) 61 206 3890 E-mail:
[email protected] University of Namibia Private Bag 13301 Windhoek, Namibia Web: http://www.unam.edu.na
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MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR (APVC), NEUDAMM CAMPUS During the year under review, the Neudamm Campus, as the host campus for the Dean, was responsible for the implementation of the research agenda of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR). The research agenda was broad, reflecting a diversity of specializations as represented by the different Departments comprising the faculty. We take cognizance that when taking into consideration the number of academic personnel at Neudamm Campus, the research output should be higher than is presently the case. We are in the process of analysing the situation to define the challenges that limit our research outputs but with emphasis on the opportunities that could allow us to increase our research outputs. The new leadership at the Neudamm Campus provides many opportunities in terms of research. The Neudamm Campus is unique in that is has academic personnel to engage in research and farming facilities and personnel that can support research initiatives. This unique situation positions Neudamm Campus as an agricultural training and research centre of excellence. In addition, we endeavour to position the Neudamm Campus as the research hub for the University of Namibia, academic personnel and students based at the Windhoek Campus, Health Sciences Campus and Khomasdal Campus. The vast tracks of farmland, biological diversity and close proximity to the other UNAM campuses in Windhoek present a great opportunity for research and teaching collaborations among colleagues at these campuses. I therefore invite Faculties at the Windhoek based-campuses to visit us, in order to explore research collaborations. Neudamm Campus furthermore intends to strengthen the application of scientific knowledge for the upliftment of rural communities. We are confident that through extension and community services we will be able to make a difference in people’s lives.
Dr Alfons Mosimane APVC, Neudamm Campus Tel: +264 (0) 61 206 4111 E-mail:
[email protected] University of Namibia Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia Web: http://www.unam.edu.na
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VISION OF THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES To emerge as a centre of excellence in education and training that will contribute towards the promotion of sustainable agriculture and natural resource development in Namibia and the SADC region at large. Furthermore, the faculty will emerge as a centre of excellence in basic and applied research that is pertinent to national and regional agricultural and natural resource developmental issues. MISSION OF THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES To promote sustainable agriculture and natural resources development and management in Namibia through teaching, research, and outreach services to communal and commercial farming communities. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES OF THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES The Faculty is guided by the following key objectives:
To provide education and training aimed at producing graduates in the fields of agriculture and natural resources who will be well equipped with knowledge, skills and attitudes that will help improve agricultural productivity and promote sustainable development, wise use of resources and increase Namibia’s food security;
To conduct research aimed at extending the frontiers of knowledge relevant to Namibia’s environment, natural resources and agriculture;
To provide advisory, consultancy and extension services on the proper and sustainable use of Namibia’s agriculture and natural resources to the communities;
To catalyse increased production and productivity of Namibia’s natural resources;
To help create meaningful employment in both the public and private sectors, including self-employment;
To promote an environment that will enhance equity and access to education and training in agriculture and natural resources;
To establish a self-sustaining management structure that will allow increased efficiency and productivity, as well as to encourage a spirit of teamwork in the Faculty.
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RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FOCUS AREAS The Neudamm Campus Research and Publication Committee (RPC) was established by the Faculty Board in March 2013. Neudamm-based staff members expressed the need for the FANR to establish a RPC at the Campus, in order to have a functional body that can review research proposals earmarked for the UNAM Research and Publications Committee (URPC), and to oversee other research-related activities at Neudamm Campus. Each of the three Departments in the FANR (Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Food Science and Technology) and two Departments in the School of Veterinary Medicine (Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Studies) have members representing their Departments in the committee. These are: Agricultural Economics, FANR Animal Science, FANR Food Science & Technology, FANR Biomedical Sciences, School of Vet Medicine Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine
Prof. H Bello Dr TO Itenge (Chairperson) Dr KKM Nantanga Dr E Kandiwa Dr C Ntahonshikira
The Research Strategic Direction of the FANR at Neudamm Campus is diverse, and includes all the Neudamm-based Departments in the FANR: Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Food Science and Technology and School of Veterinary Medicine. Through the applied research projects, the Campus is contributing not only to solving practical problems, but also to knowledge creation and capacity development at the University and to the nation at large. Each Department at the Neudamm Campus has research priorities. These are outlined below for each Department: Agricultural Economics Research Priorities
Contribute to improved crop and livestock production efficiency Strengthen efficiency of agro-marketing, farm finance, agribusiness management and extension Recognise the importance of economics of sustainable resource (land and water) management in agriculture Understanding factors affecting the demand for food and consumption as related to household food security. Aspiration to strengthening efficiency of Green Scheme projects, agribusiness management and agro-marketing.
Animal Science Research Priorities
The Department seeks to contribute to the improvement in reproductive efficiencies, local feeds capacity and preferred genetic breeds of animals Molecular characterization of the Namibian indigenous livestock breeds Identification of genetic markers associated with traits of economic importance in the Namibian livestock breeds 13
Characterization of indigenous forage legumes Identification of alternative feeds for livestock Genetic characterization of cattle with a focus on tick resistance
Food Science and Technology Research Priorities
Developing value added products from indigenous natural resources Analysing functional ingredients with potential commercial value in indigenous fruits and vegetables and others Establishing interdisciplinary research on food nutrition and food safety in keeping with economic globalisation and international trade in food products Design of methods to control food-borne diseases in the food industry The microbiology of indigenous natural resources
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS Refereed Journal Articles 1. Habarugira, G., Rukelibuga, J., Nanyingi, M. O., & Mushonga, B. (2015). Bovine tuberculosis in Rwanda: prevalence and economic impact evaluation by meat inspection at Societe d'Abattoir de Nyabugogo-Nyabugogo Abattoir, Kigali. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 85(1), 1-5. 2. Iraguha, B., Hamudikuwanda, H., & Mushonga, B. (2015). Bovine mastitis prevalence and associated risk factors in dairy cows in Nyagatare District, Rwanda. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 86(1), 1-6. 3. Itenge, T.O., & Shipandeni, M. (2015). Sale trends of Swakara Pelt offered at the Copenhagen Fur Auction from 1994-2013. Applied Animal Husbandry and Rural Development, 8, 1-5. 4. Kahler, B. (2015). Does Mycobacterium bovis contribute to the case load of human tuberculosis in Namibia? International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 5, 13-27. 5. Madzingira, O., & McCrindle, C.M.E. (2015). Retrospective analysis of the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in sheep in the Karas Region of Namibia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 10.1007/s11250-015-0838-z 6. Mushonga B., Habarugira G., Musabyemungu A, Jaja I. F., Udahemuka J-C., & Pepe, D. (2015). Investigations of the Occurrence and Nature of Foreign Bodies in the Forestomach of Cattle Slaughtered at Ngoma Slaughterhouse, Eastern Province,
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Rwanda. Journal of the 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1233.
South
African
Veterinary
Association,
86(1),
doi:
7. Nkukwana T.T., Muchenje V., Masika P.J., & Mushonga B. (2015). Intestinal morphology and digester pH of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with moringa olifera leaf meal. South African Journal of Animal Science, 45(4). 8. Nzeyimana, P., Habarugira, G., Udahemuka J-C., Mushonga, B., & Tukei, M. (2015). Bovine Cysticercosis: Prevalence and Age Relationship at Post-Mortem in Nyagatare Slaughterhouse, Eastern Province, Rwanda. World Journal of Agricultural Science, 3(3), 29-33. 9. Soji, Z., Chikwanda, D., Chikwanda, A. T., Jaja, I.F., Mushonga, B., & Muchenje, V. (2015). Relevance of the formal red meat classification system to the South African informal livestock Sector. South African Journal of Animal Science, 45(3). Refereed Books None Chapters in Books None Conference Papers 1. David, NAP., Thomas, T., & Nantanga, K. (2015, September). Can nutritious Omaungu (Gonimbrasia belina) caterpillars be made an invisible but present part in our diet? Paper presented at the first National Research Symposium of the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Windhoek, Namibia. 2. Haikukutu, L., Itenge, T.O., & Lyaku, J. (2015, October). Genetic variation of the BoLADRB3.2 region and its association with tick resistance in beef cattle breeds in Namibia. Paper presented at the African Association for the Study of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AASIKS) Inaugural Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 3. Kaholongo, L., Lutaaya, E. Kahumba, A., & Mpofu, I. (2015, September). Growth rate and biomass yield of selected indigenous forage legumes in Central Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 4. Kaholongo, L., Lutaaya, E., Kahumba, A., Mpofu, I., & Shipandeni, M. (2015, October). Using indigenous forage legume as fodder for livestock protein source. Paper presented at the Bi-annual South to South, North to North collaboration intensive course, hosted by the University of Namibia, Windhoek.
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5. Shaningua, E., Gregory, D., Shikongo–Nambabi, M., & Nantanga, K. (2015, September). A path towards industrial milling of pearl millet (mahangu) grain into flour with “traditional-tasting” qualities. Paper presented at the first National Research Symposium of the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Windhoek, Namibia. 6. Togarepi, C., Mupurua, K., & Bello, H.M. (2015). Analysis of income contribution of indigenous non-timber forest products to livelihoods of rural communities in Northern Namibia. The relevance of indigenous knowledge to African Socioeconomic Development in the 21st Century. Paper presented at the African Association for the Study of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Inaugural Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 7. Togarepi, C., Thomas, B., & Njunge, J. (2015, November). Analysis of contribution of small scale irrigated horticulture to food security and poverty reduction in light of possible effects of climate change: A case of Omusati Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the MRC Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 8. Togarepi, C., Thomas, B., & Samundengu, C. (2015, September). Challenges and opportunities for agro processing industry development in north central Namibia: A case of Omusati region tomato value chain. Paper presented at the NCRST SYMPOSIUM, Windhoek, Namibia. Other Publications (Posters, seminars and workshops and UNAM Research Day) 1. Bello, H.M. (2015, November). How to Run Small Ruminants Production as a Profitable Business. Paper presented at a capacity building workshop for small-scale farmers organized by CCARDESA, Events Square, Windhoek. 2. Charinda, L., Bello, H.M., & Thomas, B. (2015). Strategies for resuscitation of agricultural cooperatives in Zimbabwe as key to agriculture development. Draft research paper for submission for publication. 3. Haikukutu, L., Itenge, T.O., Lyaku, J., & Mausse, F. (2015, October). Genetic variation of the BoLA-DRB3.2 region and its association with tick resistance in beef cattle breeds in Namibia. Poster presented at the University of Namibia Research Day, Khomasdal Campus, Windhoek, Namibia. 4. Itenge, T.O. (2015). Inspiring Bible Stories for Children from the Old Testament, Vol I: On God’s Love for Every Child. Windhoek: Self-published. 5. Itenge, T.O., & Shipandeni, M. (2015, August). The Performance of the Namibian Swakara Pelts Offered at the Copenhagen Fur Auction for the Period 1994 – 2013. Poster exhibition presented at the 5th RUFORUM 2015 AGM, Windhoek, Namibia. 16
6. Korsor, M., & Bello, H.M. (2015). An Assessment of the Contribution of Livestock Production to the Rural Economy of Lofa County, Liberia – A post-war analysis. Draft research paper for submission for publication. 7. Lutaaya, E., Mpofu, I., Kahumba, A., Thamina, D.N., & Kaholongo, L. (2015, August). Potential of indigenous forage legumes in feeding small ruminants. Poster exhibition at 11th RUFORUM AGM, Windhoek, Namibia. 8. Mausse, F. (2015, September). The use of sheep ewes as incubators for fertilization of cattle gametes placed in AI straws and embryo culture, followed by transfers into recipient cows – a sustainable alternative for rural farming. Paper presented at the 3rd South Africa–Namibia joint Research Workshop, Windhoek, Namibia. 9. Mutelo, N. & Togarepi, C. (2015, October). Assessment of the Contribution of Urban Agriculture to Livelihoods in Oshakati, Oshana Region. Paper presented during the University of Namibia research day at Ogongo Campus Omusati Region. 10. Mwilima, N., & Nantanga, K. (2015). The Cost of Basic Needs in Namibia’s Low Income Urban Households: Results of a pilot study of households in Windhoek’s Katutura Central, Wanaheda, Okahandja Park & Shandu. 11. Ntahonshikira, C. (2015, September). An investigation into the ethno-veterinary practices of communal farmers. Paper presented at the 3rd South Africa–Namibia joint Research Workshop. Windhoek, Namibia. 12. Ntahonshikira, C. (2015). Overview of small ruminant value chain in Namibia. (2015). Paper presented at the Inception workshop to establish a Small Ruminant Innovation Platform (IP) in Namibia, held in Windhoek, Namibia. 13. Thamina, D. N., Mpofu, I., Kahumba, A., Shipandeni, M., & Lutaaya, E. (2015, August). Assessment of relative palatability indices of four indigenous legume species fed to boer goat weaners. Poster exhibition at 11th RUFORUM AGM, Windhoek, Namibia. 14. Titus, J., Nantanga, K. & Uahengo, V. (2015, October). The making of an alcoholic spirit (Ombike) of consistent quality from selected Namibian natural non-wood forest products. Presentation at the University of Namibia Research Day, Windhoek, Namibia. 15. Togarepi, C., Thomas, B., Samundengu, C., Kambatuku, J., & Hangula, M. (2015). Feasibility study for the Establishment of a Tomato processing plant in Onesi for Omusati Regional Council.
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Patents None Innovation Outputs None Number of publications in internationally accredited journals Seven. Funded research projects 1. Angombe, S., Niipele, J., & Togarepi, C. (2014-2016). Rehabilitation of sand mining pits in Northern Namibia. Funded by the NCRST. 2. Itenge, T. O., Marle-Koster, E., Lyaku J. et al. (2015). Genetic variability of the MHC class II in indigenous cattle breeds of Namibia and South Africa. a. Students supported: Ms. L. Haikukutu (MSc. Agriculture, Animal Science) b. Grant total: N$ 180,000 c. Granting institution: National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST) and National Research Foundation (NRF) project in collaboration with the University of Pretoria 3. Itenge, T. O., & Shipandeni, M. (2015). Identification of genetic markers associated with pelt quality traits in Swakara sheep breed. a. Students supported: Ms. Tjitjirotjoje Kapere and Mr. Ngujama Tjirora (4th Year Research Project students, BSc. Agriculture, Animal Science) b. Grant total: N$ 180,000 c. Granting institution: National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST) 4. Lutaaya, E., Mpofu, I., & Kahumba, A. (2012). Characterization of indigenous legumes ad their utilization as pure stands or for oversowing of natural pastures. a. Students supported: Mr. L. T. Kaholongo (MSc. Agriculture, Animal Science) and Ms. D.N. Thamina (MSc. Agriculture, Animal Science) b. Grant total: US $ 60,000 c. Granting institution: Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) 5. Petrus, NAP., & Mpofu, I. (2015). Potential of urea treated debushed biomass pellets as supplementary feed for cattle. a. Students supported: Mrs. H. Shihepo (PhD) b. Grant total: N$ 200,000 18
c. Granting institution: NCRS 6. Shikongo-Nambabi, M. (2012-2017). EDULINKII Project: Networking for excellence in Agriculture and Food Security. Project for developing online courses and assessing the gender role in agriculture in ACP countries. a. Multi-country but Namibian Participants: T. Nauiseb, Dr P Petrus, M Hamunyela, Dr E Ndeunyema, E. Mulenga, W. Embashu, W. Akwaake, J. Esterhuizen b. Grant Total: N$663 600 c. Granting Institution: EU 7. Shikongo-Nambabi, M. (2013-2016). Research on the Isolation and Control of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) larvae mortality in Namibian aquaculture resources. a. Student supported: Mr S Emvula (PhD) b. Grant total: N$504,000 c. Granting Institution: International Centre for genetic engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy (CRP - ICGEB Research Grants Programme) 8. Shikongo-Nambabi, M., Nantanga, K., & Hanke, J. (2015-2016). The microbiology of Eendjeke additive and their effect on fermented pearl millet flour. a. Students supported: Mr. D. Gregorius (MSc) and Ms. E. Shaningua (MSc) b. Grant total: N$$ 315,000 c. Granting institution: NCRST 9. Shikongo-Nambabi, M. (2011-2015). Development and validation of effective sanitation methods of sea water for marine fishing industry. A collaborative research project between UNAM and the University of Pretoria. a. Student supported: D. Shetunyenga (MSc) b. Grant Total: N$ 200 000 c. Granting Institution: Directorate of Science and Technology in the Ministry of Education and Culture of Namibia Total value of funded research projects N$ 3,082 600
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SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES RUFORUM 2015 AGM The Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Namibia (UNAM) hosted the Regional Universities Forum of Capacity Building on Agriculture (RUFORUM) event that took place on 27 – 29 August 2015. RUFORUM consists of a consortium of more than 46 African universities in East, Central, West and Southern Africa. The mission of RUFORUM is to foster innovativeness and adaptive capacity of universities engaged in agricultural and rural development to train high quality graduates and engage in impact-oriented research. There are seven main governance organs, each with distinct responsibilities that are interlinked or feed into each other, which include Annual General Assembly, Board of Directors, Technical Committee, International Advisory Panel (IAP), Regional Coordinator and Secretariat (located at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda), Deans Committee and National Forums or RUFORUM Chapter. A local organizing committee was constituted to organize the event, which was a great success. The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Hon. John Mutorwa, launched the 2016-2020 FANR Research Agenda at the Neudamm Campus. The Former Dean of the FANR, Prof. F. Mausse, chaired the Dean’s committee meeting that also took place at the Neudamm Campus during the prestigious event. The RUFORUM event was well attended by more than 46 Vice Chancellors and Deans of Agricultural Faculties of the RUFORUM universities, and other stakeholders. Also worth noting, is that Dr Komeine Nantanga, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology, FANR, won the RUFORUM award for Outstanding Contribution to Scientific Advancement in Namibia. Two post-graduate students at Neudamm, Ms Lavinia Haikukutu and Ms Etuna Shaningua each won the Award for Outstanding Master of Science Student in Agricultural Related Field at UNAM, sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
Participants of the RUFORUM Dean’s committee and stakeholders’ meetings at Neudamm Campus 20
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1.2
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
DEAN’S STATEMENT GENERAL FACULTY-WIDE OVERVIEW The academic year 2015 witnessed the first graduation of students with a Bachelor of Education in Pre- and Lower Primary as well as Upper Primary since the merger of the Colleges of Education with the Faculty of Education at the University of Namibia. The graduation ceremonies across four campuses (Main Campus, Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus, Rundu and Katima Campuses) were attended by hundreds of proud parents and family members who saw their children graduate with a B.Ed (honours) degree in primary education for the first time in the existence of the Faculty of Education at UNAM. This momentous occasion was also attended by some of our international partners from the University of Eastern Finland as well as Florida State University in the USA. 2015 was also the year in which the Faculty introduced a Diploma in Junior Primary Education (DJPE) as per the request from the then Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MOEAC). The response for admission to the diploma was overwhelming, with thousands of applications received by the Office of the Registrar. However, uncertainty about the funding of the students as well as a lack of financial support by the MOEAC resulted in the campuses not being able to accommodate big numbers of entrants. This was also due to a shortage of staff and additional infrastructure. Notwithstanding all this, a campus like the Southern Campus increased its student intake from seven to 186. Although this placed severe strain on campus resources, the campus managed to successfully implement the first year of the DJPE. Campuses such as Rundu, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Katima Mulilo and Khomasdal faced similar challenges. In another new development for 2015, the two newly created Ministries of Education requested the Faculty of Education to implement an upgrading programme for the large numbers of unand underqualified teachers. A new In-service Diploma in Junior Primary Education, called DJPE (INSET), was developed. This diploma, which caters for pre-primary to grade 3 teachers, focuses on field-based implementation with a large group of circuit-based mentors who support the academic activities of the teachers on site. This programme is funded by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation and Training. The year under review started with all departments hosting individual departmental workshops to address issues of teaching, learning, research and supervision as identified by external examiners as well as the Faculty audit report. The Department of Math, Science and Sport Education hosted their workshop on research and supervision of undergraduate research projects in Swakopmund. Experienced staff members from the department took their colleagues through a three-day workshop that addressed the major challenges highlighted in their external 22
examiner’s report. Similarly, the Department of Pre- and Lower Primary Education brought one of their external examiners back to address staff members on issues around assessment of learning that relates to higher order learning outcomes. A colleague from the University of West Sweden visited the department during February and March and hosted a workshop on environmental education for staff in the PP/LP department. One Faculty of Education staff member also visited the University of West Sweden for a month to teach English and to learn about the University’s implementation of their Junior Primary teacher education programme. This exchange was made possible through a Linnuas Palme grant we received from the European Union in collaboration with West Sweden. Staff members in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Studies engaged their colleagues in upgrading their presentation skills using advanced PowerPoint applications. This was aimed at helping colleagues to reflect on their class teaching in order to make it more learner friendly and interesting for students. Many staff members also received training and are using EDMODO as a teaching and assessment tool in their classes. Staff members continue to be challenged by large classes (up to 500 at a time) and to find the best ways to effectively teach their students. This is especially difficult in modules such as teaching methods of school subjects, project-based learning, sport education, arts, research projects and many other practice-based learning modules. The need for more school-based activities is becoming more evident. This is being addressed in the curriculum of the newly introduced diploma in JPE where students are required to spend a full day once a week in a school for the three years duration of the diploma. However, there is a need to train school-based mentors on how to guide and support our students while they are in the schools. Finding good schools to place our students during their school-based studies is also becoming more challenging as student numbers increase. Many schools still see student teachers as an unnecessary nuisance and do not see the value of this internship in shaping future teachers. To address this matter, the Faculty organized a workshop in December for support teachers and school principals to discuss how we can go about to improve this situation. Many further consultations are needed, and funding to support this activity at school level must be sourced. This activity is vital in preparing our future teachers and must receive the necessary support from the MoEAC, especially school principals and the management of schools. Finally, the Faculty of Education submitted the English Language Proficiency (ELP) programme as a distance-learning programme to UNAM’s Academic Programmes Committee. As per recommendation from APC, the University consulted with the NQA to submit the programme as Unit Standards for registration on the NQF. Feedback was given to APC and the Dean’s Committee on how this can be accomplished. The Faculty is now in the process to develop such ELP unit standards to be registered with the NQA.
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RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FOCUS AREAS In 2012, the Faculty of Education developed its strategic research agenda. It was decided that the agenda would span a period of five years, starting in 2013. With a few amendments that have resulted from recent research activities, the Faculty of Education is still implementing the research agenda, which ends in 2017. As we reported in 2014, research needs both funding and time off teaching activities. As was the case then, it is still our belief and hope that in the next few years funding and time off will be given to staff to carry out research that will inform their practice in various areas of specialization. The research being conducted by members of the Faculty continues to address various themes in education. These include teacher education, instruction (learning and teaching), teacher/class assessment strategies, child development, inclusive education, gender mainstreaming in education, Integrated Early Childhood Development and Education (IECDE), ICTs in education, school management, administration, community education and lifelong learning, language education, Mathematics, Science and Sport Education, Early learning, literacy and numeracy. To concretize the Faculty research agenda, below we outline again our research objectives as well as specific areas of research emphasis, Department by Department. Objectives The main objectives of research being conducted in the Faculty of Education are to:
Carry out research that informs educational theory, policy and practice, teacher pre-and in-service training, curriculum development, educational innovation and alternative learning approaches; Carry out research that impacts community education, development and empowerment; Carry out joint educational research with colleagues within and outside the SADC region; Carry out research that promotes collaboration and partnership amongst various stakeholders in education in Namibia; Disseminate research findings, skills and knowledge through publications.
Specific areas of research foci by department Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment studies
Instruction Teaching and learning ICT in education Teacher/learner assessment strategies
Department of Education Foundations and Management
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Educational Management and Leadership Teacher Education Teaching Practice Education Reform
Department of Educational Psychology and Inclusive education
Inclusive Education Life skills Guidance and counselling Integrated Early Childhood Development and Education (IECDE), including childrearing practices and education Literacy and learning Child Development and learning in education Gender issues in education Comprehensive sexuality School violence and discipline Educational Psychology and Psychometric assessment
Department of Mathematics, Science and Sport Education
Teaching and learning in Mathematics and Science Education ICT in Mathematics and Science Education Cognition Assessment Teacher education Gender and Science Education Sport Education Nutrition/Home Ecology
Pre- and Lower Primary Education
School case studies on the teaching of numeracy and literacy in Namibian classrooms Development of indigenous languages for tertiary teaching and learning purposes
Department of Education in Languages, Humanities and Commerce
Entrepreneurship instructional practices at secondary schools Medium of instruction studies Language and Education Language teaching in schools
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To exemplify how research is conducted thematically, staff members in the Faculty have organized themselves into inter-departmental research teams as follows: Research 1: UNESCO/Chinese Funds-in-Trust research on improving the capacity of teacher educators to train students and teachers in teaching literacy and numeracy in preand lower primary schools. We report below how work under this theme continued in 2015. Research Team: Dr C. Villet (Team Leader), several members of staff of the Faculty of Education from Main Campus, Khomasdal, HP, Rundu and Katima Mulilo Campuses. Research 2: Gender parity in education. Research Team: Prof. R.F. Zimba (Team Leader), Prof. C. D. Kasanda, Dr C. Haihambo, Dr H. Kapenda, and Ms Faustina Neshila. Research 3: Assessment. UNAM students’ perceptions of assessment. Research Team: Prof. C. D. Kasanda (Team Leader), Dr H. K. Mitonga, Prof. R. F. Zimba and Dr K. Veii. Research 4: Tracer study of UNAM education students. Research Team: Prof. C. D. Kasanda (Team Leader), Dr C. Villet, Ms P. February. Research 5: Sustainable development Education-based on the current sustainable development goals. Dr A. Kanyimba (Team Leader), Dr M. Hamunyela and Prof. C. D. Kasanda. Research 6: IKS in Education. Dr H. Kapenda (Team Leader), Prof. C. D. Kasanda, Prof. R. F. Zimba and Dr C. K. Haihambo. Research 7: Inclusive Education, Life Skills, Guidance and Counselling and Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Dr C. K. Haihambo (Team Leader), Mr. J. U. Hengari, Ms P. J. February, Prof. M. L. Mostert and Prof. A. D. Mowes. Examples of specific studies under this theme are: 1. Issues related to sexual orientation at the Main Campus of the University of Namibia. Action research. 2. Learning Difficulties patterns and programmes in Kenya, Namibia and Zambia: An outcome of the Edulink Programme. 3. Inclusion and Democracy Programmes in Teacher-Education in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Sweden. 4. Needs, challenges and best practices of life skills teachers in Namibia. Research 8: A tracer study of the challenges and needs experienced by teachers with visual impairment in the Northern Education Regions of Namibia. Mrs. L. Mbodo (Team Leader), Ms E. I. Tobias and Ms I. Patoko. Note:
It should be noted that other research teams for the Faculty of Education operate at the Southern, Khomasdal, HP, Rundu, and Katima Mulilo campuses. Directors of 26
these campuses have reported their 2015 research outputs directly to the Centre for Research and Publications. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS The Faculty of Education continued to be involved in a number of research activities in 2015. Most notably was the follow-up on the action research under the Chinese-Funds-in-Trust project phase 2 of 2015. Teachers at the selected schools were supported using an educational toolkit that built capacity with regard to Classroom Management, Assessment and Reflection, Questioning Strategies, Mathematics education through effective use of instructional materials, and literacy development through story reading and good literature. Through this project, primary school teachers also received laptops and LCD projectors to further support their newly developed ICT skills in teaching literacy and numeracy. A second national report on the second phase of this action research project was launched at a national forum held in Windhoek during International Teachers Day on 5 October. Staff members from our sister campuses as well as the main campus presented papers at international conferences such as, among others, the international conference for Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) in Washington DC; Oxford Round Table on Childhood Education and Issues in Oxford, England; the Distance Education and Teaching Association (DETA) conference in Mauritius; the Global Teacher Taskforce conference in Mozambique; ICT integration in teaching and learning conferences in Cameroon, Ethiopia and China. Our Faculty’s fourth Educational Research Conference was conducted on the Katima Mulilo campus and boasted a number of international papers presented from countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, RSA and USA. Papers addressed themes around Quality Teaching and Learning for Diversity and Inclusion. Journal Articles 1. Auala, R. K., Haipinge, E., Uahengo, F. B., Chaka, J. & Kaita, J. (2015). Democratic and participative approaches in managing change in education. Namibia Journal of Managerial Sciences, 1(1), 73-84. 2. Boer, P. J. (2015). Community meeting the Namibian Education Technology Policy with OLPC's XO laptops: is it a viable approach? The Journal of Community Informatics, 11(1). 3. Chindongo, I.C., & Mbukusa, R.N. (2015). Exploring the barriers that impede parental involvement in children’s education at Sauyemwa Junior Secondary School. Journal of Education Research and Behavioural Sciences, 4(12), 298-305. December. Available
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online: http://www.apexjournal.org) ISSN 2315-8735© 2015 Apex Journal International [http://www.apexjournal.org/jerbs/archive/2015/Dec/Dec_toc.htm] 4. Haihambo, C.K., Mushaandja, J., Vergnani, T., & Frank, E. (2015). Learners counselling needs and teacher counsellors’ capacities in Namibian Primary and Secondary Schools: Matches and mismatches. NERA Journal, 13(01), 1-33. 5. Haimbodi, F.N., Kasanda, C.D., & Kapenda, H.M. (2015). The effects of cooperative learning on the performance of Grade 11 Mathematics learners in the Oshana education region, Namibia. Journal for studies in humanities and social sciences, 4(1), 243 -252. 6. Jekonia, J., & Mowes, A.D. (2015). Forms of school-home communication in the Omusati Education Region of Namibia. NERA Journal, 13(01), 45-60. 7. Kapenda, H.M., Kasanda, C.D., & Naweseb, T.F. (2015). Teachers’ understanding of the use of everyday contexts in the teaching of Mathematics at three selected urban junior secondary schools in Windhoek, Namibia. Namibia Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Journal for Educators, 2(1), 39 -50. 8. Kanyimba, A.T, Richter, B.W., & Raath, S.P. (2015). The Integration of Pedagogical Aspects in Environmental Management Systems in Selected Primary Schools in South Africa. Africa Education Review, 12(2), 236-256. 9. Kanyimba, A.T., Katewa, M.N., & Claassen, P. (2015). The Contribution of ESD on Transformational Leadership in Selected Namibian Schools. Open Journal for Social Sciences, 3(3), 186-196. 10. Lumbu, S.D., Smit, T., & Hamunyela, M. (2015). Recycling errors in the language classroom. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1&2), 277-284. 11. Mbukusa, R.N. (2015). Distance education undergraduate students' experiences of project work supervision in Namibia. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 6(3). 12. Nekongo-Nielsen, H., Mbukusa, R. N., Tjiramba, E., & Beukes, F. (2015). Investigating factors that lead to school dropout in Namibia. Namibia CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1). 13. Neshila, F., Miranda, H., & Zimba, R. (2015). Academic Resiliency: Revising the cycle of educational failure. Namibian Educational Research Association Journal, 23, 75-97. 14. Nyambe, J., & Hengari, J. (2015). Classroom-based action research: An alternative approach to teacher professional development. NERA Journal, 13(01), 79-96. 28
15. Ojanen, E., Ronimus, M., Ahonen, T., Chansa-Kabali, T., February, P., Jere-Folotiya, J. Kauppinen, K., Ketonen, R., Ngorosho, D., Pitkänen, M., Puhakka, S., Sampa, F., Walubita, G., Yalukanda, C. Pugh, K., Richardson, U., Serpell, R., & Lyytinen, H. (2015). GraphoGame – A Mobile Solution to a Global Illiteracy Crisis. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 671. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00671 16. Simasiku, L.E., Villet, C.B., & Kapenda, H. (2015). High school teachers’ perceptions on reflective practice in teaching at one selected school in Khomas region, Namibia. Namibia CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1), 88-98. 17. Smith, C., & Amushigamo, A. (2015). Ubuntu School Culture and Positive Students Behaviours. ICERI Proceedings, 8253-8259. 18. Smith, C. & Amushigamo, A. (2015). The Perceived Influence of School Leadership on Learner Behaviour in a Namibian Secondary School. Educational Management Administration & Leadership 1–18. doi: 10.1177/1741143214559232 emal.sagepub.com 19. Smith, C. & Amushigamo, A. (2015). Human Needs Satisfaction and Students Behaviours in a Namibian Senior Secondary School. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 8269-8274. 20. Veii, K.R.H. (2015). Cognitive and linguistic factors in Otjiherero and English simultaneous spelling development. NERA Journal, 13(01), 97-118. 21. Zimba, R.F. (2015). Forward. NERA Journal, 13, vii-ix. 22. Zimba, R.F. (2015). Manifestations of Namibian Boys’ Underachievement in Education. Forum on Public Policy Online, (2). 15 September.
Books and Monographs 1. Auala, R.K., Amukugo, E. & Mushaandja, J. (2015). Managing Change. Revised Study Guide, Windhoek: Centre for External Studies, University of Namibia. 2. Haihambo C. K. & Rooth E. (2015). Let’s do Life skills Learners’ Book, Grade 4. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 3. Haihambo C. K. & Rooth E. (2015). Let’s do Life skills Learners’ Book, Grade 5. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 4. Haihambo C. K. & Rooth E. (2015). Let’s do Life skills Learners’ Book. Grade 6. Oxford University Press. 29
5. Haihambo C. K. & Rooth E. (2015). Let’s do Life skills Learners’ Book, Grade 7. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 6. Hamunyela, M. 2016. Principles of Adult Education Research: AER 2701. Windhoek: Centre for External Studies. Chapters in Books 1. Chinsembu, G.M. & Hamunyela, M. (2015). To Integrate or not: Exploring the prospects and challenges of integrating indigenous knowledge at the University of Namibia. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., Kasanda, C.D., & Kazembe, L., (Eds.) Indigenous knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 2. Brown, A., & Haihambo, C.K. (2015). Developmental issues facing the San people of Namibia: Road to de-marginalization in formal education. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., Kasanda, C.D.A., & Kazembe, L. (Eds.) Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 3. Haihambo C.K. (2015). Messages given to adolescents and young adults during initiation ceremonies and their relation to HIV/ AIDS. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., Kasanda, C.D.A., & Kazembe, L. (Eds.) Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 4. Haipinge, E. (2016). Cultivating 21st century skills in teachers through Project-Based Learning. In Keengwe, J., Mbae, J. G., & Onchwari, G. Handbook of Research on Global Issues in Next-Generation Teacher Education (pp. 136 – 151). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9948-9 5. Siyambango, N., Kanyimba, A.T., & Mufune, M. (2015). Climate Change and Indigenous Knowledge in Rural Namibia. A Gendered Approach. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., Kasanda, C.D., & Kazembe, L. (Eds.) Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia (pp. 271 – 290). Windhoek: UNAM Press. 6. Kasanda, C.D. & Kapenda, H.M. (2015). Indigenous knowledge of junior high school learners on traditional medicinal plants in the treatment of common ailments and diseases in the Omusati and Oshana regions in Namibia. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikyoussef, A., Mumbengwegwi, D., Kandawa-Shulz, M., Kazembe, L. & Kasanda, C.D., (Eds.) Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia (pp. 135 -156). Windhoek: UNAM Press. 7. Mbukusa, R. N. (2015). Understanding the indigenous coping strategies of the Basubiya on the flooding of the Zambezi River. In Chinsembu K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A.,
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Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., & Kazembe, L., (Eds.) Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 8. Shaimemanya, C.N.S (2015). Transforming Education through Teacher Empowerment in Namibia: Possibilities and Challenges (Book Chapter under review for publication in: Teacher Empowerment for Professional Development and Practices: Perspectives across Borders. Springer.) 9. Shaimemanya, C.N.S. (2015). Challenges of Higher Education in Namibia (Book Chapter under review). Conference Papers 1. Auala, R.K., Tjitemisa, C.K., Omalu, C. & Uahengo, F. (2015, August). The strengths and challenges of the merger: Findings from a case study of the former Windhoek College of Education (WCE)’s merger with Faculty of Education at UNAM. Paper presented at the 4th EDUCON, Katima Mulilo. 2. February, P.H. (2015, March). Graphogame Afrikaans – Grade 3 learners in Namibia. Paper presented at the CIES (Comparative and International Education Society) Conference, Washington, DC, USA. 3. February, P.H. (2015, September). Teachers’ perceptions and knowledge of teaching initial reading. Paper presented at the Annual Education Conference (EDUCON) at Katima Mulilo UNAM Campus. 4. Iipinge, J.J., Kapenda, H.M., & Kasanda, C.D. (2015, January). Girls’ perceptions in the learning of Mathematics in secondary schools in the Oshana educational region in Namibia. Paper presented at 23rd Annual SAARMSTE Conference, Maputo, Mozambique. 5. Kapenda, H.M. (2015, May). Mathematics teaching and learning: Does teaching SCK and PCK matter? Paper presented at the Tenth National Mathematics Congress, Swakopmund, Namibia. 6. Kanyimba, A.T., Namutenya, M., & Nantinda, L. (2015, September). Monitoring the integration of Environmental Management systems in Selected Namibian schools. Paper presented at the Environmental Education Conference of Southern Africa. Mastapha, Swaziland. 7. Kanyimba, A.T. & De Sousa, L. (2015, June-July). A measure of environmental orientation and management following the implementation of an environmental management system to mitigate climate change in South African and Namibian primary schools. Paper presented at the World Environmental Education Congress, Gothenburg, Sweden. 31
8. Nakanyala, J., Kapenda, H. M., & Abah, J. (2015, August). School principals’ views on factors affecting the teaching of Physical Science ordinary level in selected secondary schools in Oshana region, Namibia. Paper presented at the Second International Science & Mathematics Educators’ Conference. Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe. 9. Nakanyala, J., Kapenda, H.M. & Abah, J. (2015, August). Perceptions of teachers on the factors affecting effective teaching of Grade 12 Physical Science Ordinary level in selected secondary schools in the Oshana region, Namibia. Paper presented at the Fourth UNAM Annual Educational Conference, “Zambezi 2015”, Zambezi region, Namibia. 10. Zimba, R.F. (2015, June). Views on strengthening integrated early childhood development in Namibia. Paper presented at a Critical Thinking forum on strengthening integrated early childhood development (ECD) in Namibia, School of Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 11. Zimba, R.F. (2015, August). Strategies for enhancing integrated early childhood development and education in Southern Africa. Paper presented at the 4th University of Namibia Annual Educational Conference, Katima Mulilo. 12. Zimba, R.F. (2015, September). Ethical Considerations applied when writing research proposals and conducting collaborative research. Paper presented at the NCRST National Research Symposium: Research; Weaving the Future and Beyond, Windhoek. 13. Zimba, R.F. (2015, November). Reflections on Namibian boys’ underachievement in education: Going beyond gender analysis. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek. Technical/Consultancy Reports 1. Auala, R.K., & Haipinge, E. (2015). Report on North-South-South Intensive Seminar on Democracy and Quality Education for All. Windhoek: University of Namibia. 2. Haihambo C.K., & Hengari, J.U. (2015). Inclusive Education Policy. Namibian College of Open learning (NAMCOL). 3. Haihambo C.K., Kazapua, Z., & Louis, E.J. (2015). Gender-Based Violence and Educational Campaigns. In Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. A Commissioned Report. 4. Wilder, H. & Boer, P.J. (2015). Using Technology to Facilitate Collaboration between New Jersey and Namibian Teacher Education Students. Promoting Global Competence and Social Justice in Teacher Education: Successes and Challenges within Local and International Contexts. 32
CONCLUSION Together with the Faculty of Education satellite campuses’ research reports that are submitted to the Centre for Research and Publications separately, this report captures our degree of research and publication productivity for 2015. From this record, we can conclude that the Faculty of Education did reasonably well under challenging circumstances. As reported last year, our aim is to build on this record and enhance our research and publication profile. This hope will be hollow if the heavy teaching loads remain as high as they are for several members of staff in the Faculty and if research funding remains scanty. On our part, we shall continue where possible to mobilize additional research funding from local and international donor communities.
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1.3
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEAN’S STATEMENT As an academic family of six members, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences was robustly involved in research and publications during the period under review. The six departments were Geography, History and Environmental Studies, Human Sciences, Information and Communication Studies, Language and Literature Studies, Sociology and Visual and Performing Arts. As of 2016, the Faculty has seven departments, Social Work now standing on its own as an offshoot of Human Sciences. Although some members of the Faculty were productive in terms of research and publications, we could have published more academic articles taking into account the big number of academics in the Faculty. The Faculty continued publishing its research flagship, the Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, which entered its fourth year of existence. We are proud to announce the Faculty Journal was registered with the International Scientific Index (ISI), which is a milestone in boosting the status of the publication on the international scene. The Faculty appreciates the funding support that its members receive from the University Research and Publications Committee, which has enabled a number of colleagues to research and publish. However, we continue to lament the very limited funds for conference participation. We hope that in the years to come, more funds will be committed to funding conference participation to not only expose our staff to a wide scholarly network, but to also showcase to the world some of our research findings. RESEARCH STRATEGY DIRECTION The Faculty intends to promote research and publication activities in the Faculty by continued investment of resources in the Faculty Annual Research Conference and in the Faculty Journal. In 2016, the Faculty will review its research agenda to synchronise it with current trends in national and global priorities. While we celebrate the consistent number of publications by senior staff in the Faculty, we reflect on strategies to increase support to capacitate our junior staff with the necessary publication skills. Therefore, in a bid to promote scholarship in the Faculty, a seminar series platform will be held on a monthly basis to provide support to the not so senior staff of the faculty, through guided mentorships and peer reviews. PUBLICATIONS Refereed Journal Articles 1. Ahlawat, I., Tiwari, G., Galundia, R., & Dhaka, P. (2015). An evaluation of vocational interest among rural adolescents. ACADEMICIA, 5(8), 50-57.
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2. Ananias, J.A., Strydom, H., & Ellis, S. (2015). A support group programme with informal caregivers to prevent elder abuse. The Social Work Practitioner-Researcher, 27(2), 220-245. 3. Angula M.N., & Kaundjua, M.B. (2016). The changing climate and human vulnerability in the North-Central Namibia. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Study, 8(2), 1-7. 4. Augart, J. (2015). Literaturvermittlung – kreativ. Beispiele zum Umgang mit Literatur im Südlichen Afrika. InfoDaF. 5. Fox, T., & Stëll, G. (2015). Ethnicity in discourse: the interactional negotiation of ethnic boundaries in post-apartheid Namibia. Journal of Ethnic and Racial Studies, 38(6), 976992. 6. Freeman, R. J. (2015). What have Reflection and Emotion got to do with it: My Journey as a Novice Researcher. Namibia CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1), 176-186. 7. Freeman, R. J., & Kamwanyah, N.A. (2015). Safe sanctuary away from home: Working women’s perceptions of power, gender-based violence and HIV-infection risk within intimate relationships. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1&2), 10-33. 8. Heike, W., Horst, S., Zappen-Thomson, M., & Kathleen Schumann. (2015). Deutsch im Mehrsprachigen Kontext: Beobachtungen zu Lexikalisch-Grammatischen Entwicklungen im Namdeutschen und im Kiezdeutschen. Zeitschrift für Dialektologie und Linguistik (ZDL), Band 81/2014/3, S. 274–307. 9. Hunter, J.H. (ed.). (2015). Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. 10. Janik, M., & Marques, L. (2015). The impact of work relationships and certain job factors on the work engagement and other positive work outcomes of primary school educators in Namibia. Namibian Journal of Management Science, 1, 119 - 144. 11. Janik, M., & Rothmann, S. (2015). Meaningful work and secondary school teachers’ intention to leave. South African Journal of Education, 35, 1-13. 12. Kangira, J., & Ucham, E. (2015). African Hybrids: Exploring Afropolitan identity formation in Taiye Selasi’s Ghana must go and Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1, 2). 13. Kangira, J., & Mwetulundila, R. (2015). An analysis of rhetoric and humour in Dudley’s political cartoons published in the Namibian newspaper in 2012. International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(6), 63-74. 35
14. Kangira, J. (Ed.). (2015). Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 15. Kauari, L.N., Kaundjua, M.B., & Mufune, P. (2015). Drinking and its effects on risk behaviour amongst secondary school going youth in Windhoek. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1&2), 89-102. 16. Lumbu, S.D., Smit, T.C., & Hamunyela, M.N. (2015). Recycling errors in the language classroom. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1&2). 17. Mbenzi, P., & Kangira, J. (2015). An analysis of Bishop Dumeni’s four funeral speeches in the pre-independence era in Namibia. African Journal of Rhetoric, 7, 129-157. 18. Mlambo, N., Kangira, J., & Smit, T.C. (2015). Critical Reflections on surviving against all odds in Valerie Tagwira’s The Uncertainty of Hope. International Journal of Language and Linguistics. 19. Nengomasha, C.T., Abankwah, R., Uutoni, W., & Pazvakawambwa, L. (2015). Health Information Literacy of the University of Namibia students. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1-2), 179-192. 20. Nhemachena, A. (2015). Sensing Presences: Health, Illness and Resilience in Contemporary Rural Zimbabwe. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 8(8). 21. Persendt, F.C., Gomez, C., & Zawar-Reza, P. (2015). Identifying hydro-meteorological events from precipitation extremes indices and other sources over northern Namibia, Cuvelai Basin. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 7(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v7i1.177 22. Smit, T.C. (2015). Learners’ Academic Achievement? English Language Teaching, 8(2). 23. Smit, T.C. (2015). Barriers to Code-Switching in English Second Language Medium Classrooms. International Journal of English Literature and Culture, 2(11). 24. Smit, T.C. (2015). Teaching Subject Matter through the Medium of English as the Medium of Instruction in the Namibian English Second Language Classrooms. Eujournal. 25. Smit, T.C. (2015). Code-Switching as a Strategy in Conducting Public Affairs: A Case Study of Rural Namibians. Journal of English Language and Literature. 26. Smit, T.C. (2015). Transformation and African migrants: The conflicting worlds of cultural beliefs and marriage issues. No longer at ease and Chairman of fools. Journal of Advances in Linguistics. 36
27. Smit, T.C. (2015). Can Code Switching enhance the learning of the target language? Journal for Modern Education Review, 5(2). 28. Zannier, A. (2015). Case Study of a Global Simulation with Beginner level learners at the University of Namibia: a search for an authentic language and culture exposure in an African Anglophone Country. Journal for Language Teaching, 49(9). 29. Zannier-Wahengo, A. (2015). A mentorship Teachers Guide distributed to teachers of French in Namibia. March. 30. Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015). Und das soll Deutsch sein? Gedanken zur Jugendsprache. Perspektiven 2014, 76-79. Refereed Books 1. Hunter, J.H. (Ed.). (2015). The Bible and Violence in Africa. (Bible in Africa Studies, Vol. 20). Bamberg: University of Bamberg Press. 2. Hunter, J. H., & Kügler, J. (2015). The Bible and Violence in Africa. Foreword. Bamberg: University of Bamberg Press. 3. Mbenzi, P. (2015). Revolutionary song as response to colonialism in Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. Chapters in Books 1. Augart, J. (2015). Vexierbild Vergangenheit. Bernhard Jaumanns Namibia-Krimi Die Stunde des Schakals. In Jaumann, B. Tatorte und Schreibräume – Spurensicherung, ed. by Andreas Erb (pp. 131 -151). Bielefeld: Aisthesis Verlag. 2. Nhemachena, A. (2015). Indigenous Knowledge, Conflation and Postcolonial Translation: Lessons from Fieldwork in Contemporary Rural Zimbabwe. In Mawere, M., & Awuah-Nyamekye, S. (Eds.) Between Rhetoric and Reality: The State and Use of Indigenous Knowledge in Postcolonial Africa (pp. 59-108). Bamenda: Langaa RPCIG. 3. Nengomasha, C.T., & Uutoni, W.E. (2015). E-government in Namibia. In Sodhi, I.S. (Ed.) Emerging issues and prospects in African e-government (pp. 196-215). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. 4. Nhemachena, A. (2015). Envisioning African democracy in the Twenty-First Century: Mwana washe Muranda Kumwe and the Coloniality of Contrived “Democracy”. In 37
Mawere, M., & Mwanaka, T. R., (Eds.) Democracy, Good Governance and Development in Africa (pp. 1-44). Bamenda: Langaa RPCIG. 5. Volker, G., & Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015). Anschreiben gegen das Vergessen Volker Gretschel und Marianne Zappen-Thomson im Gespräch über Bernhard Jaumann, Namibia und die SWAPO. In Jaumann, B. Tatorte und Schreibräume – Spurensicherung, ed. by Andreas Erb, Bielefeld: Aisthesis Verlag. Conference Papers 1. Augart, J. (2015). Deutsch in Afrika. Paper presented at the Universität Duisburg-Essen. 2. Augart, J. (2015). Kenya Noir - Crime Fiction and Social Criticism. Paper presented at the Universität Duisburg-Essen. 3. Augart, J. (2015). Neokoloniale Ausbeutung im deutschen Afrika-Krimi. Paper presented at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. 4. Augart, J. (2015). Stationenlernen im DaF-Unterricht (Workshop), zusammen mit C. v. Blottnitz. Paper presented at the Deutschlehrertagung, Omaruru, Namibia. 5. Augart, J. (2015). Excessive Exploitation. Africa and its resources in German Crime Fiction. Paper presented at the DLLS Research Colloquium, University of Namibia. 6. Augart, J. (2015). Exploitation as Consumerism. Social Criticism in German Crime Fiction set in Africa. Paper presented at the University of Limerick. 7. Augart, J. (2015). Geschichte und Geschichten. Zur Darstellung Namibias in Bernhard Jaumanns Die Stunde des Schakals (2010) und Steinland (2012). Paper presented at the SAGV Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 8. Augart, J. (2015). Deutsch (als Fremdsprache) in Afrika – Kenia. Paper presented at Universität Duisburg-Essen. 9. Augart, J. (2015). Tatort Afrika. der deutsche Afrika-Krimi. Paper presented at Universität Duisburg-Essen. 10. Beyer, H.L., & Hancock, S. (2015, August). A critical evaluation of English monolingual school dictionaries for the junior primary phase in Namibia: context and dictionary criticism. Paper presented at School Lex seminar, Stellenbosch, South Africa. 11. Beyer, H.L. (2015, June-July). The consultation potential of lemma candidates for a bilingual dictionary of closely related languages. Paper presented at the Twentieth 38
Annual International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, Durban, South Africa. 12. Beyer, H.L., & Izaks, J.N. (2015, June-July). The treatment of academic action verbs in English advanced learner’s dictionaries. Paper presented at the Twentieth Annual International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, Durban, South Africa. 13. Lumbu, S.D., & Zannier, A. (2015, September). The Namibian Portfolio for Languages: a tool for formative assessment in Namibian Secondary Schools. Paper presented at Educon, Katima Mulilo. 14. Lumbu, S.D., & Hamakali, P.H. (2015, September). Assessing students in English Second Language courses: The role of alternative assessment tools in language instruction. Paper presented at Educon, Katima Mulilo. 15. Persendt, F.C., Gomez, C., & Zawa-Reza, P. (2015). Validation of daily operational satellite-based rainfall products over data-sparse Cuvelai Basin (Namibia) using two flood events (2009 & 2011). Paper presented at Waterways Student Conference, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. 16. Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015, March-April). “Bei dem Regen kein Braai, trotzdem alles nauwa. Zur Entwicklung des Deutschen in Namibia”. Paper presented at the 27th Conference of the SAGV, University of Namibia. 17. Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015, July). In Namibia essen alle Brötschen. Zur Sprachpolitik und Deutsch in Namibia. Paper presented at the University of Essen. 18. Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015, August). Mit Kapana und Ohiskundu sowie Brezel und Bier Zum Deutschstudium in Namibia. Presented at the IGV, Shangai 19. Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015, July). DLLS – Structure and research. Paper presented at the Seventh Annual Language and Literature Colloquium, UNAM, Windhoek. 20. Zappen-Thomson, M. (2015, October). Treading carefully on the communication-path. Paper presented at the China-Africa conference “The path to success”, Windhoek. Innovative Inputs None
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1.4
FACULTY OF LAW
DEAN’S STATEMENT The Faculty of Law consists of three departments, namely Commercial Law; Public Law and Jurisprudence; and Private and Procedural Law. In addition, two Centres fall under the Faculty, viz. the Human Rights and Documentation Centre (HRDC) and the Justice Training Centre (JTC). The Faculty also runs a Legal Aid Clinic, whose mandate and operations will be briefly outlined below. During the year under review, a number of very positive developments took place in the Faculty. The Faculty has continued to build its capacity through staff development and the recruitment of highly qualified new staff. Dr K. Nuugwedha was awarded her PHD degree in Education Law by the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Professor Nico Horn was also awarded his D’IUR degree by the Faculty of law of the University of Bremen. The Faculty’s teaching and research capacity was further strengthened when Dr D. Zongwe joined the staff from Canada. He holds LLM and JSD degrees from the School of Law of the University of Cornell in the USA. With the above positive developments and the prospect of more colleagues poised to obtain their doctoral qualifications in law, the Faculty will be in a stronger position to admit more postgraduate students at the masters and doctoral levels as its postgraduate supervising capacity will be substantially enhanced. Also, with this increased capacity, the Faculty will now realistically be in a position to launch various LLM programmes by course work coupled with a dissertation. These plans should come to fruition in 2017. It is hoped that all these efforts will result in more research activities in the Faculty of Law. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS During the year under review, staff members in the Faculty were very actively engaged in important academic activities, such as the attendance and presentation of research papers at national, regional and international conferences. Publications in refereed journals and chapters in books During 2015, some members of staff published their research findings in academic law journals. These include the following: 1. Horn, N. (2015). Namibia. In Brill’s Encyclopaedia of law and religion. Leiden. 2. Horn, N. (2015). Pentecostals and the Human Rights Dispensation: A case study of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (White section) between 1908 and 1994. Stellenbosch: Sun Media.
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3. Horn, N. (2015). The western Sahara case: land reform and pre-colonial land rights in Namibia. SADC law journal, 1. 4. Horn, N. (2015). Human rights in the private sphere. Namibia law journal, 6(2). 5. Mnubi- Mchombu, C. (2013). The role of libraries in supporting human rights. In Ntsikala, R. & Mandl, H. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Namibia library symposium. 6. Mnubi- Mchombu, C., & Nakuta, J. (2015). Accessing Government information in Namibia as a human right issue. In Ntsikala, R. & Mandl, H. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Namibia library symposium. 7. Mnubi-Mchombu, C., Herbert, J. & Zongwe, D. Human rights education in Namibia, a report by the HRDC. 8. Zongwe, P. (2015). Seeing the whole elephant: A comprehensive framework for analysing resource for infrastructure contracts. African Journal of Policy and Development. 9. Zongwe, P. (2015). Seven myths about Chinese migrants in Africa. 7 Transnational Corporations Review. 10.
Zongwe, P. (2015). All eyes on XI: the Chinese 50 billion dollar question and the problematic of African development. 7 Transnational Corporations Review.
Conference Presentations Some of the conference presentations made by colleagues in 2015 are the following: 1. Baloro, J. (2015, May). The constitutional separation of state and religion in Africa: formalism versus practice. Paper presented at the International conference on law and religion, Windhoek. 2. Baloro, J. (2015). The customary law of succession to political office among the Ovaherero, a double descent group in central Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM Law faculty bimonthly seminar series. 3. Nuugwedha, D.K. (2015). Shaping education in Namibia: legal determinants of the right to education. Paper presented at the Southern Africa Education Law Association International Conference, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
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CONCLUSION The Faculty of Law continues to strive for excellence in the area of research and publications. In this regard, it faces many challenges, the major one being the shortage of qualified and experienced academic staff and the resulting teaching overload that colleagues have to inevitably bear. However, it is safe to say that on current performance, it is poised to break into many new areas of postgraduate legal studies as more resources are availed to it and as many of its staff complete their doctoral studies. I am confident that in the next few years the overall contribution of the Faculty in the area of research and publications will substantially improve.
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1.5
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
DEAN’S STATEMENT The Faculty of Science recognises the important role of the research and publication unit in the university’s socio-economic development and is active in the fields of research and development and in all areas of the sciences, as indicated in the list of publications. The Faculty, together with various stakeholders, have successfully developed a strategy to improve its research output by incentivizing its staff, which encourages them to publish more. Our research output is built around some of the strategic research topics in various departments and is aligned with the Government’s national development agenda, which is clearly outlined in the various key policy documents included in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4), the National Human Resources Plan and the Harambee Prospect Plan. In this regard, the Faculty’s research was founded around the following themes: IKS, microbiology, climate change, water, ecology, biodiversity and conservation, parasitology, food security, biotechnology, ICT applications, software development, astrophysics, nuclear physics, lasers and optics, renewable energies, statistics and health aspects, demography, topology, financial mathematics, technology etc. Research funding in the Faculty is still one of the major concerns and this has contributed to the low research output. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION The Faculty of Science aims to promote and actively engage in both applied and theoretical research that is relevant and addresses the needs of the Namibian population. It is aligned to the goals of Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans (NDPs), the National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (NPRSTI) as well as the Harambee Prosperity Plan. The research strategy of the Faculty complies with its mission to become a centre of excellence in research and innovation, to engage actively in quality research and to produce quality publications. The Faculty’s research strategy is seen as being dynamic in order to facilitate development and to accommodate diversity within the Faculty regarding capacities and skills. The strategy involves the following actions to promote quality research and innovation:
Increase the number of post-graduate students undertaking research to ensure more involvement in research by the various departments and PhD holders. This also ensures increased publication output by staff members who are heavily engaged in the teaching of undergraduate courses and have little time for research. Furthermore, it will build capacity for UNAM and Namibia. Encourage team research, i.e. research groups that involve several departments and Faculties to ensure that research is multi-disciplinary, in the modern world this being the key to solving complex societal and scientific problems. 43
Encourage senior staff members to team up with junior staff members to write research proposals and conduct research in order to transfer research skills. Promote Faculty-based seminars and conferences to provide a platform for the presentation of research conducted in the Faculty. Publication of a Journal supported by the NCRST, which serves as a good platform to share research. Promote Faculty-based training for staff members to assist them in writing skills for proposals and scientific publications. Promote collaboration with other universities so as to have wider experience in research; this adds value to our multidisciplinary quest in scientific investigation.
FOCUS AREAS IN THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Life Sciences Drug development Most of this research is done within the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy. It involves using natural plant and mushroom extracts and testing their potential for drug development against diseases such as malaria, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and tuberculosis. Current research entails chemical characterisation of natural products with particular emphasis on the identification of novel chemical entities of medicinal value. A project involving the Chemistry and Biochemistry department in collaboration with the Stellenbosch University is aimed at capacity development in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for molecular structure determination of plant extracts. Research efforts are also focused on the synthesis of natural products and the use of natural products as templates in the design and synthesis of an exploratory library of compounds, to be tested for activity in various disease models. Another collaborative project between the Department of Chemistry and Stellenbosch University is geared towards identification of toxic compounds from plants responsible for livestock poisoning in Southern Africa, with the ultimate aim of providing an understanding of the mechanisms of action by which poisoning takes place so as to find better ways of treating affected animals and reducing stock losses. Other projects focus on the use of natural plant and mushroom extracts and testing their potential for drug development against diseases such as HIV, malaria, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and tuberculosis. The latest addition to this type of research is the isolation of actinomycetes from Namibian soils for drug development. This research theme also encompasses computer-based studies exploring quantitative structureproperty relationships of compounds with medicinal values. 44
Traditional Knowledge Systems This includes access to and use of research results: increasing community awareness and utilization of indigenous grains to improve nutrition security and livelihoods in Botswana and Namibia. It also involves the evaluation of medicinal plants used by traditional healers for their potential as complementary medicine for the treatment of malaria, cancer and tuberculosis. Currently a book produced by the Faculty is in publication and summarizes some traditional practices and knowledge systems that provide essential information regarding their potential in the treatment of these diseases. Medical Microbiology/Disease Research in the Faculty deals with understanding various diseases better and trying to come up with improved solutions for the prevention, treatment and management of these diseases. Much of this research is conducted as collaborations between the Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Multi-disciplinary Research Centre (MRC) and the Ministry of Health. Projects involve: HIV-1 biological activity and toxicity prospecting of ethnobotanicals of Namibia. The impact of nutritional status on clinical outcomes of malaria following ACT treatment in children under the age of five. The molecular surveillance for drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Namibia. Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Pathogenesis and Vector Biology. Climate Change Colleagues from the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Geology are involved in a project regarding the combined use of groundwater, honeybees and soil in the assessment of climate change and adaptation strategies among communities of the Omusati, Ohangwena, Okavango and Caprivi Regions of Namibia. This project is also adding value to ascertain whether the bee colonies in the northern regions are in danger of disappearing or not. The influence of bees on crop pollination and tree pollination is a major aspect of the project. Changes in climate affect these bio-indicators of climate variability. Water Water is a scarce resource in arid Namibia and therefore this is one of the research focus areas in the Faculty of Science. It is multi-disciplinary in nature and involves Biology, Chemistry and Geology, with emphasis on the following aspects: Evaluation of water quality in Namibia’s drinking water, including the occurrence of emergent pollutants such as endocrine disrupting chemicals in water sources, algal toxicity in eutrophic aquatic systems, bacteriological quality of water sources (mostly open and groundwater) in the vicinity of informal settlements in the city of Windhoek as well as in hand-dug wells in the north
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of Namibia. Groundwater quality research currently focuses on regional nitrate and fluoride problems. Management of water quantity by addressing problems of high evaporation from surface water, groundwater flow monitoring and obtaining water from alternative sources such as fog and rain harvesting, wastewater reclamation and water banking. It also involves the following ongoing projects: Determination of groundwater recharge and safe groundwater abstraction rates; Modelling of the Naukluft Groundwater aquifers. Research is conducted by a team in collaboration with the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Department of Geology. Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation This is a broad area of research and involves the following projects:
Assessing the effect of herding on livestock performance in semi-arid communal rangelands in South Africa and Namibia. Population dynamics Moringa ovalifolia (Dinter & Berger): Population structure, recruitment and reproductive vigour in different habitats. Flora of Namibia Project: This is a collaborative research project with the National Herbarium of Namibia and is focused on the production of a comprehensive and description of English Flora of Namibian Plants. It involves collating and analysing data, existing and new, pertaining to the indigenous and naturalised plants of the country in order to promote knowledge and sustainable utilisation of this resource. Population dynamics of an endemic tree species, Moringa ovalifolia: Funded through the University of Namibia Research and Publication Office, in this collaborative research between UNAM, Etosha Ecological Institute, and the National Botanic Research Institute, we address questions around population structure, population dynamics, genetic diversity and reproductive ecology of populations occupying different habitats in the country. Assessment of the effects of variation in vegetation structure due to bush encroachment on the species’ composition and diversity of small mammals and ground-dwelling invertebrates at selected sites in the Omaheke Region. Seasonal changes in dietary preferences of the oryx and springbok in Damaraland. This study will be undertaken in collaboration with conservancies, e.g. Torra conservancy. Human wildlife conflict along the boundaries of the Park. Carbon turnover and nutrient cycling in shelf sediments off the Namibian coast. Dynamics of intertidal zone communities on the coast of Namibia. Limnology of lentic freshwater systems in Namibia. Landscape processes and biodiversity change along the Kwandu River in Caprivi, Namibia. Profiling, monitoring and conserving the rich microbial diversity along the Namibian coast. 46
The impact of different management practices on the range condition of Savanna ecosystems.
Disturbance and Restoration Ecology Since many mines are closing down due to the non-renewable resources being exploited and reaching their limits, there is a need to rehabilitate and/or restore the natural habitats at such sites. Projects involve the understanding the dynamics of arid savanna ecosystems experiencing various disturbance regimes in highland biomes of central Namibia and also understanding the implications for local management of economics and conservation objectives. A project that was successfully completed and was a collaboration between the Department of Biological Sciences, NAMDEB and Gobabeb, is the restoration of the Sendelingsdrif mining site. Host-plant and host-animal interactions (Parasitology) Current projects being carried out in the Department of Biological Sciences in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, University of Bremen (Germany), partner universities in Africa and the EU (EU-funded project), among others, include:
Plant-microorganism interaction with a focus on Plant Growth Promotion by Rhizospheric. Endophytic microorganisms associated with plants occurring in the Namibian Deserts. Rainfall and herbivory: characterizing the transmission route for anthrax in grazing wildlife, Etosha National Park. Parasites of rodents in South Africa and Namibia with a focus on emerging infectious diseases. Emerging viruses in West and Southern Africa: Molecular identification and characterization of rodent- and shrew-borne hantaviruses and assessment of their public health potential. Monitoring the effects of anthropogenic and environmental change on parasite diversity and communities and infectious diseases on small mammal communities along a climate gradient in Southern Africa. Stop Rat project (EU-funded).
Food Security Research in this focus area includes plant breeding research, for example the development of Marama bean cultivars with desirable agronomic traits using mutation breeding. It also involves the domestication of the Marama bean: Agronomy and molecular genetic characterization for its improvement. Other research in this focus area include analysis of starch synthesis in the Marama bean to identify industrial uses for it; Cultivation of Tylosema esculentum (Marama bean) Trials; Analysis of microbial nutrient cycling, GHG production, BNF and plant growth promotion for sustainable land use management, under the Future Okavango (TFO) project. Biotechnology 47
Industrial Application: New Materials (Nanotechnology), Biotechnology, Polymer Science research and Petroleum Chemistry. Computational Sciences Computer Sciences In the School of Computing, research groups focus on: (a) Rural Wireless Networking utilising Long-Term Evolution and Cloud Computing Technologies; (b) On Cloud Computing looking at billing and security aspects of applications in the Cloud environment; (c) “Namibianizing the Internet”, looking at innovative ways to expose the Namibian cultural norms and practices to the world. This research group is looking at various aspects, including indigenous knowledge systems and social networks applicable to the Namibian environment; (d) Design of ICT Applications for Intersection of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge and Technology Design focus on research projects; Connecting Eenhana: Socio-technical issues in establishing a community Wi-Fi network; An Ethnographic Account of taxi practices in Namibia to Inform the Design of ICT Applications; (e) The School of Computing also houses the Centre of excellence in telecommunication that runs and implements research activities and publishes research results; (f) Establishment of the Software Development Centre (SDC) focuses on the development of projects in the areas of E-health, as well as E-Governance. Light and Energy Astrophysics In the Astrophysics Research Unit of the Department of Physics, continuing research takes place in high-energy astrophysics as part of a highly successful international collaboration, operating the H.E.S.S. telescopes located in Namibia. Concerning the successor observatory of H.E.S.S., the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the Department of Physics alongside the Ministry of Education and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology are spearheading the efforts to attract the southern observatory of CTA to Namibia. This national effort is endorsed and supported by the Namibian government. The Department of Physics is also involved with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Besides these astronomical mega-projects with more than 1000 scientists from over 30 countries involved, and with capital investments of billions of Namibian dollars, a small optical observatory, the Cuno Hoffmeister Memorial Observatory, is also being set up south of Windhoek. This initiative is in collaboration with the International Occultation Timing Association - European Section (IOTA-ES) and is supported by the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD). Members of the Department also hold an active and oversight position in the Southern African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SAROAD).
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Nuclear physics The Radiation Physics Group continues to do research in the distribution and concentrations of natural radioisotopes in several locations in Namibia, using equipment provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a joint project with the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Authority of Namibia. This group successfully acquired some nuclear equipment from external sources and through Namibia CPF, and is setting up a nuclear science teaching and research laboratory. Lasers and optics Research is ongoing pertaining to vegetation fluorescence and optics as well as optic properties of surface water sources and development of methods to improve the measurement of absorption in water. Renewable Energies Research is being conducted in the field of solar cells, the efficiencies and their possible applications in Namibia.
Statistics and Mathematics Statistics addressing social aspects Key research priority areas in Statistics include Mortality, Population Dynamics, Youth, Gender Equality, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Education, Sanitation, Disability, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Population Health, Income and Poverty, Development of New Statistical, Methods and Applications, and Food Security. Women and Food Insecurity in the urban areas of Namibia. This is a case study in the informal settlements of Windhoek. A comparative study of the socio-economic determinants of infant mortality in Namibia. A case study of 200 and 2006 DHS. Explaining marriage patterns and trends in Namibia. This research is being undertaken toward the obtaining of a PhD degree. Model fitting to home language in Windhoek primary schools. Statistics and Health Sector/Aspects An evaluation of the effect of maternal smoking on the health of infants in Namibia.’ Small area estimation of health status/conditions and interventions. The focus currently is on malaria, but is easily expandable to other public health problems. With collaborators in Kenya, 49
the Kenya Medical Research Institute and University of Oxford, we are using cross-sectional Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data obtained in various African countries to estimate i) health interventions coverage (long-lasting nets), ii) health status and conditions (malaria prevalence), iii) health promotion and disease prevention issues (prompt use of appropriate care). Demography Statistical methods in demography – this project essentially is using advanced regression methods to analyse and explain demographic processes. Census and DHS data are being used.
Pure Mathematics The Department of Mathematics has been carrying out research in Categorical Topology. In this research, structured frames called nearness frames are utilized. The work involves applying category theory to topology. Financial Mathematics Semi-martingales are applied to finance. The focus is on the modelling of exchange rates, optimal harvest and default able securities. This work has played a part in strengthening the modelling of risk management in the banking industry. Stochastic dynamic models for banking items were developed, enabling one to analyse the interplay between the bank exposures and its regulatory capital to mitigate these. Dynamical Systems This involves the study of the dynamics of biological groups, represented by a system of nonlinear Partial Differential Equations. The study focuses on the well-posedness and regularity properties of the solutions to such systems of equations. Perturbation Theory This research in perturbation theory has wide applications in chemical reactors, lubrication, bending problems of thin plates and shells, DC motor analysis, quantum and fluid mechanics, elasticity, and other similar areas. It is clear that these applications are quite relevant to the development programs of Namibia, especially in the industrial sector. Differential Equations and Numerical Methods This work involves modelling of the spread of diseases using first and second order differential equations and numerical analysis techniques. Earth Sciences Most of the research in this focus area is conducted in the Department of Geology, but collaboration occurs with other international universities. The following research projects are ongoing: 50
The Matchless Project: Geological Evolution and Metallogeny of the Matchless Belt, Namibia (Collaboration with Meeting Points Mining, Sweden and Uppsala University, Sweden). Sedimentology and hydrocarbon resources: Karoo basin evolution and associated coal and gas resources. Seismic Stratigraphy and Petroleum System Analysis of the Orange Basin. Neoproterozoic Petroleum Systems in Namibia (Collaboration with Royal Holloway, London) The Mining and Environment project under the auspices of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and UNESCO/SIDA, Project Number 594. The Department is represented by Prof. B.S. Mapani and Prof. A.F. Kamona. Cooperating partners in this project are the Geological Survey of the Czech Republic, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Botswana, the University of Zambia, the University of Zimbabwe, Charles University, Prague, the University of Natural Sciences, Prague, the University of Lubumbashi, Medical Faculty, and the Central African Museum in Brussels, Belgium.
Geochronology of Southern Namibia This project is a collaboration between the University of Namibia, Geology Department and the Gothenburg University in Sweden. The project aims to establish the exact age of the rocks in the Rehoboth inlier and Sinclair Suites in the Helmeringhausen area and Sinclair area. The ages of these formations will give us a direct result of the most fertile units with respect to mineral deposits.
PUBLICATIONS Refereed journal articles
1. Abbott, J., Hay, C.J., Næsje, T., Tweddle. D., & Van der Waal, B. (2015). Rain and Copper: The Evolution of a Fish Marketing Channel in a Rapidly Changing Region of Southern Africa. Journal of Southern African Studies, 41(1), 29-45. 2. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M, Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). The exceptionally powerful TeV gamma-ray emitters in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Science. 347, 406412. 3. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M, Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). The high-energy gamma-ray emission of AP Librae, H.E.S.S. & Fermi-LAT Collaborations. Astron. Astrophys, 573, A31. 51
4. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). Probing the gamma-ray emission from HESS J1834-087 using H.E.S.S. and Fermi LAT observations, Astron. Astrophys, 574, A27. 5. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). Discovery of variable VHE gamma-ray emission from the binary system 1FGL J1018.6-5856. Astron.Astrophys, 577, A131. 6. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). H.E.S.S. detection of TeV emission from the interaction region between the supernova remnant G349.7+0.2 and a molecular cloud, Astron Astrophys, 574, A100. 7. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). Constraints on an Annigilation Signal from a Core of Constant Dark Matter Density around the Milky Way Center with H.E.S.S. Phys.Rev.Lett., 114, 081301. 8. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). H.E.S.S. reveals a lack of TeV emission from the supernova remnant Puppis A. Astron.Astrophys, 575, A81. 9. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). The 2012 flare of PG 1553+113 seen with H.E.S.S. and Fermi-LAT, Astron.Astrophys, 802, 65. 10. Abrahamowski, A., Backes, M., Davids, I.D., & Steenkamp, R. (2015). H.E.S.S. detection of TeV emission from the interaction region between the supernova remnant G349.7+02 and a molecular cloud (Corrigenum). Astron.Astrophys. 580, C1. 11. Adeyeye, M., Ojewale, M., Kabiawu, O., Challans, R., & Mufeti, K. (2015). Improving Remote Method Invocation Security via Method Authorization and Elimination of RMI Registry: An Exploration of Java and Haxe. Accepted by the Australasia Journal of Information, Communication Technology and Applications, ISSN: 2205-0930. 12. Cheikhyoussef, A., Summers, R.W., & Kahaka, G. (2015). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemical compounds in Namibian Myrothamnus flabellifolius. Int. Sci. Technol. J. Namibia. 13. Beyer, M., Gaj, M., Hamutoko, J.T., Koeniger, P., Wanke, H., & Himmelsbach, T. (2015). Estimation of groundwater via deuterium labelling in the semi-arid Cuvelai Etosha Basin, Namibia. Isotopes in Environmental & Health Studies. 14. Beyer, M., Koeniger, P., Gaj, M., Hamutoko, J.T., Wanke, H., & Himmelsbach, T. (2015). A Deuterium-based labeling technique for the investigation of rooting depths, water uptake dynamics and unsaturated zone water transport in semiarid environments. Journal of Hydrology. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.12.037
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15. Chingwaru W., Vidmar J., & Kapewangolo, P. (2015). The potential of Sub-Saharan African plants in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections: A Review. Phytotherapy Research. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5433. 16. Chingwaru, W., Vidmar, J., Kapewangolo, P., Mazimba, O., & Jackson, J. (2015). Therapeutic and Prophylactic Potential of Morama (Tylosema esculentum): A Review. Phytotherapy Research. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5419. 17. Chinsembu, K.C. (2015). Plants as antimalarial agents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Acta Tropica 152, 32-48. 18. Chinsembu, K.C., Hijarunguru, A., & Mbangu, A. (2015). Ethnomedicinal plants used by traditional healers in the management of HIV/AIDS opportunistic diseases in Rundu, Kavango East Region, Namibia. South African Journal of Botany, 100, 33-42. 19. D’Orazi-Porchetti, S., Wagensommer, S., Latiano, M., Mocke, H., & Wanke, A. (2015). A Dinosaur Ichnocoenosos from the Wateberg Plateau (Etjo Formation, Lower Jurassic), Namibia. Ichnos. 20. Daniel, L, Nauyoma, H., Likukela, G., & Uahengo, V. (2015). Percolation threshold found for electrical resistivity of silver-nanoparticles/zirconia composite thin films fabricated by molecular precursor method (MPM). GD450. Extended Abstract Research Symposium, NCRST, 1, 35-39. 21. Daniel, L., & Uahengo, V. (2015). Determination of optimal heat treatment temperature for the fabrication of Ag/TiO2 composite thin films using molecular precursor method (MPM). Int. J. Curr. Res. Aca. Rev. 3(4), 74-88. 22. Dube T., & Mugochi, M.M. Localic remote points revisited. Filomat, 29(1), 111-120. 23. Gaj, M., Beyer, M., Koeniger, P., Wanke, H., Hamutoko, J., & Himmelsbach, T. (2015). In-situ unsaturated zone stable water isotope (2H and 18O) measurements in semi-arid environments using tuneable off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy. Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., 12, 6115-6149. 24. Gatsinzi J.-B., & Kwashira, R. (2015). Samelson products in function spaces. Korean Journal of Math, 52, 1297-1302. 25. Gnitchogna R.B. (2015). Comparison of two iteration methods for solving non-linear fractional PDE’s. International Journal of Math. Models and Methods in App. Sci., 9, 105-13. 26. Grönemeyer, J.L., Chimwamurombe, P., & Reinhold-Hurek, B. Bradyrhizobium subterraneum sp. nov., a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium from root nodules of 53
groundnuts in Namibia. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.000403. 27. Gumbo, V., & Siziba, S. (2015). An econometric approach to incorporating nonnormality VaR measurement. Journal of Math. Finance, 6, 82-98. 28. Haiyambo D.H., Chimwamurombe P.M., & Reinhold-Hurek, B. (2015). Isolation and Screening of Rhizosphere Bacteria from Grasses in East Kavango Region of Namibia for Plant Growth Promoting Characteristics. Current Microbiology, 71, 566-571. 29. Haiyambo, D.H., Reinhold-Hurek, B., & Chimwamurombe, P. M. (2015). Effects of plant growth promoting bacterial isolates from Kavango on the vegetative growth of Sorghum bicolor. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 9(10), 725-729. 30. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T45369877A45435876.en 31. Hurtado, C.A.C., & Puente, R.R. (2015). Compatibilidad tecnológica en el despliegue de sistemas de gestión empresarial. Revista Cubana de Ciencias Informáticas, 9(2), 29-51. 32. Iiyambo, D., & Willie, R. (2015). Well-posedness of Keller-Segel equations for a perturbed analytic semi-group in Bessel potential spaces. Bulletin of Math. Analysis and App., 1(2), 1-17. 33. Indongo, N., & Pazvakawambwa, L. (2015). Perceptions of Women on Marriage in Namibia. Psychology, 6(11), 1413. 34. Kamndaya, M., Vearey, J., Thomas, L., Kabiru, C.W., & Kazembe, L. (2015). The role of material deprivation and consumerism in the decisions to engage in transactional sex among young people in Blantyre, Malawi. Global Public Health, 11(3), 295-308. 35. Kamndaya, M.S., Kazembe, L.N., Kabiru, C., Thomas, L., & Vearey, J. (2015). Material deprivation and unemployment affect coercive sex among young people in the urban slums of Blantyre, Malawi: a multilevel approach. Health and Place, 33, 90-100. 36. Kandjimi, O.S., Uzabakiriho, J.D., & Chimwamurombe, P.M. (2015). Isolation and characterization of culturable bacteria from bulk soil samples and the rhizosphere of arid adapted Tylosema esculentum (Burchell). A. Schreiber (Marama bean) in Namibia. African Journal of Biotechnology, 14(11), 944-952. 37. Kangombe, F.N. Indongo S.N., Mbango O.K., & Kwembeya E.G. (2015). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Omusati region. NCRST Scientific Journal. Manuscript accepted for publication. 38. Kazembe, L.N., & Kandala, N.B. (2015). Estimating areas of common risk in low birth 54
weight and infant mortality in Namibia: a joint spatial analysis at sub-regional level. Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology, 12, 27-37. 39. Kiremire, E.M,R. (2015). Isobal Series of Chemical Fragments. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 31, 59-70. 40. Kiremire, E.M.R. (2015). Beads, Necklace, Chains and String Cappings. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 31(3), 1243-1261. 41. Kiremire, E.M.R. (2015). Boranes Hiding Inside Carbonyl Clusters. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 31, 121-127. 42. Kiremire, E.M.R. (2015). Classification of Transition Metal Cabonyl Clusters Using the 14n Rule Derived from number theory. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 31(2), 605-618. 43. Kiremire, E.M.R. (2015). Structural Determination of Simple and More complex carbonyl clusters of rhenium and osmium using K-values and cluster tables. Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 31(1), 293-302. 44. Kiremire. E.M.R. (2015). A unique bypass to carbonyl clusters nucleus using the 15n rule, Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 31(3), 1469-1476. 45. Knott, M.G., Kapewangolo, P., Louw, S., Brand, J., Kandjengo, L., & Ishola, A. (2015). The isolation, structural determination and bioactivity of 1E,3R,4S,5E,7Z-1-bromo 3,4,8trichloro-7-(dichloromethyl)-3-methylocta-1,5,7-triene from a Namibian Plocamium species. International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 7, 59-72. 46. Kribek, B., Majer, V., Knesl, I., Keder, J., Mapani, B., Kamona, F., Mihaljevic, M., Ettler, V., Penizek, V., Vanek, A., & Sracek, O. (2015). Contamination of soil and grass in the Tsumeb smelter area, Namibia: modelling of contaminants dispersion and ground geochemical verification. Applied Geochemistry, 64, 75-91. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.07.006 47. Kuvare A., Kandawa-Schulz, M., & Kapewangolo, P. (2015). Comparative study of antioxidant properties, Polyphenols and Flavonoid contents of the tuber and seed extracts of Marama bean (Tylosema esculentum). International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 6, 21-31. 48. Lehmann, D., Mfune, J.K.E, Gewers, E., Brain, C., & Voigt, C.C. (2015). Individual variation in isotopic niche space of grazing and browsing desert ungulates. Oecelogia. doi: 10.1007/s00442-015-3335-1 49. Masangwi, S.J., Ferguson, N.S., Grimason, A.M., Morse, T.D., & Kazembe, L.N. (2015). 55
The pattern of variation between diarrhoea and malaria coexistence with corresponding risk factors in Chikhwawa, Malawi: A bivariate multilevel analysis. Int J Env Res Public Health, 12, 8526-8541. 50. McBenedict, B., Chimwamurombe, P., Kwembeya, E., & Maggs-Kölling, G. (2015). Genetic Diversity of Namibian Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR. (Pearl millet) Landraces analysed by SSR Markers. The World Scientific Journal. Manuscript accepted for publication. 51. Mihaljevic, M., Ettler, V., Kribek, B., Vanek, A., Penizek, V., Sracek, O., Svoboda, M., Mapani, B., & Kamona, F. (2015). Trace elements and Lead isotopic record in Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) tree rings and soils near the Tsumeb smelter, Namibia. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 226, 177-188. doi: 10.1007/s11270-015-2440-4. 52. Missoup, A. D., Nicolas, V., Eiseb, S., Chung, E.K., & Denys, C. (2015), Phylogenetic position of the endemic Mount Oku rat, Lamottemys okuensis (Rodentia: Muridae), based on molecular and morphological data. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. doi: 10.1111/zoj.12361. 53. Mtambo, O.P.L., Masangwi, S.J., & Kazembe, L.N. (2015). Spatial quintile regression using INLA with applications to childhood overweight in Malawi. Spatial and Spatiotemporal Epidemiology, 13, 7-14. 54. Nejeschlebov, L., Sracek, O., Mihaljevic, M., Ettler, V., Krˇ.bek , B., Knesl, I., Vaneˇk, A., Pen.zˇek, V, Doln.cˇek, Z., & Mapani, B. (2015). Geochemistry and potential environmental impact of the mine tailings at Rosh Pinah, southern Namibia. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 105, 17–28. 55. Nengomasha, C.T., Abankwah, R., Uutoni, W.E., & Pazvakawambwa, L. (2015). Health information literacy of University of Namibia students. Journal for studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1 & 2), 179-192. 56. Nepolo, E, Hale, L., & Chimwamurombe, P. (2015). Isolation and Characterization of Genomic DNA Clones Encoding Starch Branching Enzyme I (SBEI) and Starch Branching Enzyme II (SBEII) from Marama Bean; Tylosema esculentum (Burchell A. Schreiber). Chemistry Journal, 5(4), 63-70. 57. Nepolo, E, Llyod, J.R., & Chimwamurombe, P.M. (2015). Physicochemical and functional characteristics of starch extracted from Marama bean tuber (Tylosema sculentum Burchell A. Schreiber). International Science and Technology Journal, 6, 3245. 58. Ngwira, A., & Kazembe, L.N. (2015). Bayesian random effects modelling with application to childhood anaemia in Malawi. BMC Public Health, 15, 161. 56
59. Nickanor, N.M., & Kazembe, L.N. (2015). Increasing levels of under-nutrition with rapid urbanization in Katutura, Windhoek: Neighbourhood Differentials and the Effect of Socio-Economic Disadvantage. World Health and Population, 16(3), 5-21. 60. Palmer, A.R., Samuels, I., Cupido, C., Finca, A.W., Kangombe, F., Yunusa, I.A.M., Vetter, S., & Mapaure, I. (2015). Aboveground biomass production of the semi-arid southern African savanna: towards a new model. African Journal of Range & Forage Science. doi: 10.2989/10220119.2015.1043647. 61. Pazvakawambwa, L., & Mumbango, T. (2015). Statistical Modelling of Adolescent Pregnancy in Namibia. Journal of Nursing and Care, 4(4). 62. Peel, R.A., Taylor, G.C., Hay, C.J., Tweddle, D., & Weyl, O.L., (2015). Assessment of offshore fisheries dynamics in Lake Liambezi: potential for development of an offshore fishery. GoGreen report. 63. Peel, R.A., Tweddle, D., Simasiku, E.K., Martin, G.D., Lubanda, J., Hay, C.J., & Weyl, O.L.F. (2015). Ecology, fish and fishery of Lake Liambezi, a recently refilled floodplain lake in the Zambezi Region, Namibia. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 1–8. 64. Rathbun, G.B. & Eiseb, S. (2015). Macroscelides flavicaudatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 65. Sands, A.F., Matthee, S., Mfune, J.K.E., & Matthee, C.A. (2015). The influence of life history and climate driven diversification on the mtDNA phylogeographic structures of two Southern African Mastomys species (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae). Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 114:58-6. 66. Seeburrun, N., Archibong, E.F., & Ramasami., P. (2015). Mono and digallium selenide clusters as potential superhalogens. Journal of Molecular Modelling, 21, 42. doi: 10.1007/s00894-014-2555-3. 67. Seeburrun N., Alswaidan, I.A., Fun,H.-K., Archibong, E.F., & Ramasami, P. (2015). Probing the structural and electronic properties of doped gallium oxide and sulfide, M(GaX2)2 where M = alkali or coinage metal; X = O, S. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Advances,, p. 106141. doi: 10.1039/c5ra19970k 68. Seeburrun N., Alswaidan, I.A., Fun,H.-K., Archibong, E.F., & Ramasami. P. A comparative ab initio study to investigate the rich structural variety and electronic properties of GamTen (m=1,2 and n=1-4) with analogous oxides, sulfides and selenides. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Advances, p. 68076. doi: 10.1039/c5ra07594g.
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69. Shafudah, N., & Singh, S. (2015). Designing of a simple high performance Nitrogen laser for laser induced fluorescence (LIF) studies. Journal of Space Science and Technology, 4. 70. Sheehama E.N., & Chimwamurombe, P.M. (2015). Gene mining a marama bean expressed sequence tags (ESTs) database: Embryonic seed development genes and microsatellite marker identification. African Journal of Biotechnology , 14(40). 71. Shilangale, R.P., Kaaya, G.P., & Chimwamurombe, P.M. (2015). Prevalence and characterization of Salmonella isolated from beef in Namibia. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 5(4), 267-274. 72. Shilangale, R., Kaaya, G., & Chimwamurombe, P. (2015). Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Salmonella Strains Isolated from beef in Namibia. British Microbiology Research Journal. doi: 10.9734/BMRJ/2016/19775. 73. Shimboyo, S., & Oyedele, J.A. (2015). Determination of natural radioactivity in soils of Henties Bay, Namibia. International Science & Technology Journal of Namibia, 5, 104. 74. Sracek, O., Wanke, H., Ndakunda, N.N., Mihaljevič, M., & Buzek F. (2015). Geochemistry and fluoride levels of geothermal springs in Namibia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 148, 96-104. 75. Struwig, M., Klaassen, E.S., & Kwembeya. E.G. (2015). Nyctaginaceae: A taxonomic treatment for the Flora of Namibia. Phytotaxa, 238(2). 76. Szekelyhidi, L., & Wilkens, B. Spectral analysis and synthesis on varieties. Journal of Math. Analysis and Appl., 433, 1329-1332. 77. Takundwa, M.M., Ruzvidzo, O., Uzabakiriho, J.D., Titus, P.E., & Chimwamurombe, P.M. (2015). Molecular identification of fungal species associated with leaf lesions of marama bean seedlings in Namibia. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 9(3), 194-200. 78. Tucker, W.D., Bidwell, N.J., & Best, M.L. (2015). Celebrating Gary Marsden. Information Technologies & International Development, 11(4), iii – iv. 79. Wanke, H., Nakwafila, A., Hamutoko, J.T., Lohe, C., Neumbo, F., Petrus, I., David, A., Beukes, H., Masule, N., & Quinger, M. (2015). Hand dug wells in Namibia: An underestimated water source or a threat to human health? Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 78, 104–113.
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80. Witkowski, P.T., Kallies, R., Hoveka, J., Auste, B., Ithete, N.L., Soltys, K., Szemes, T., Drosten, C., Preiser, W., Klempa, B., Mfune, J.K.E., & Kruger, D. (2015). Two Arenavirus Isolates from Namaqua Rock Mouse, Namibia, Southern Africa. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 21(7), 1213-1216. doi: 10.3201/eid2106.141341 81. Bidwell, N.J., & Winschiers-Theophilus, H. (2015). At the Intersection of Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge and Technology Design. Informing Science Press. 82. Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schultz, M., Kasanda, C.D., Kazembe, L. (Eds.). (2015). Indigenous Knowledge in Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. Chapter in Books 1. Bidwell, N.J., & Winschiers-Theophilus, H. (2015). At the Intersection of Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge and Technology Design. In Mwewa, L., & Bidwell, N.J. At the Intersection of Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge and Technology Design (pp. 1-12). Informing Science Press. 2. Bidwell, N.J., & Winschiers-Theophilus, H. (2015). African Narratives in Technology Research & Design. In Mwewa, L., & Bidwell, N.J. At the Intersection of Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge and Technology Design (pp. 353-372). Informing Science Press. 3. Chinsembu, K.C. (2015). Bioprospecting for ‘green diamonds’: Medicinal plants used in the management of HIV/AIDS-related conditions. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikyoussef, A., Mubengwegwi, D., Kandawa- Schulz, M., Kasanda, C.D., & Kazembe, L. (Eds.). Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia (pp. 9-40). Windhoek: University of Namibia Press. 4. Chinsembu, K.C. (2015). Indigenous knowledge and antimicrobial properties of plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine. In Chinsembu K.C., Cheikyoussef, A., Mubengwegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., Kasanda, C.D., & Kazembe, L, (Eds.). Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia (pp. 119 -138). Windhoek: University of Namibia Press. 5. Kazembe, L.N., & Neema, I. (2015). Drugs and drug control in Namibia. In KalutaCrumpton, A. Pan-African Issues in Drugs and Drug Control: An international perspective (pp. 87-111). London: Ashgate Publishing. 6. Lendelvo, S.M., Angula, M.N., & Mfune, J.K.E. (2015). Indigenous knowledge used in the management of human-wildlife conflict along the borders of the Etosha National Park. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz,
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Kasanda, C.D., & Kazembe, L. (Eds.). Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia (pp. 219-240). Windhoek: UNAM Press. 7. Winterleitner, G., Le Heron, D.P., Mapani, B., Vining, B.A., & McCaffrey, K.J.W. (2015). Styles, origins and implications of syn-depositional deformation structures in Ediacaran microbial carbonates (Nama Basin, Namibia). In Bosence, D.W.J., Gibbons, K.A., Le Heron, D.P., Morgan, W.A., Pritchard, T. & Vining, B.A. (Eds.). Microbial Carbonates in Space and Time: Implications for Global Exploration and Production. London: Geological Society, http://doi.org/10.1144/SP418.12 # 2015 Conference papers 1.
Adam, F.M. (2015). Revived method of rapid repair for rigid concrete pavement constructions of military Airfield Operation Surfaces. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the International Society of Military Science, Helsinki, Finland.
2.
Amputu, V., Joubert, D., & Mapaure, I. (2015, July). Fire history and frost in an arid savanna woodland: Understanding their impacts on vegetation structure and diversity at Waterberg Plateau Park, central Namibia. Poster presented at the 50th Annual Congress of the Grasslands Society of Southern Africa (GSSA), Pietermaritzburg.
3.
Ananias, A.L., & Wanke, H. (2015, November). An Estimation of Hydraulic Parameters of the perched KOH-0 Aquifer and Determination of its Interaction to the KOH-1 and KOH-2 Aquifers, Ohangwena Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek.
4.
Archibong,E.F. (2015). Does GaO4 Exist? Paper presented at the 22nd International SPACC Symposium, , University of Namibia,Windhoek.
5.
Betancourt, Y.G.P., Puente, R.R., & Mufeti, T.K. (2015). Cellular Automata and its applications in modeling and simulating the evolution of diseases. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium. Namibia.
6.
Bidwell, N.J., Makawa, M.T., Nhinda, G.T., Rey-Moreno, C., Limbo, A., Sheetekela, S., Nangobe, T., Tatekulu, Y., Mutonga, M.J., David, S., & Slabbert, M. (2015, November). A community Network Approach in the Ohangwena Region. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek.
7.
Bonge, A. (2015, November-December). Paper presented at 7th UAPS conference, Pretoria.
8.
Cabrera, R.P., Martínez, M.H., Despaigne, E.C. Puente, R.R., & García J.A.L. (2015). Modelo orientado a grafos para el cálculo del indicador IRRH a partir de relaciones 60
existentes en proyectos de software. Paper presented at the 10ma Peña tecnológica, Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas, Habana, Cuba. 9.
Chinsembu, K.C. (2015, August). Anti-HIV natural products. Paper presented at the Herbals & Natural Remedies Africa Conference, Johannesburg.
10. Chinsembu, K.C. (2015, June-July). Bioprospecting for green medicines used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Namibia. Paper presented at the NCRST Science, Technology and Innovation Festival, Windhoek. 11. Chinsembu, K.C. (2015, October). Green Medicines. Paper presented at the inaugural conference of the African Association of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Windhoek. 12. Chisenga, B, Wanke, H., Chimwamurombe, P., & Hamutoko, J.T. (2015). Microbiological Analysis of household water from hand dug wells in the CuvelaiEtosha Basin of Namibia. Paper presented at Waternet 16, Mauritius. 13. Daniel L.S. (2015, September). Electrical resistivity of ag-nanoparticles incorporated in zirconia matrix (Ag-NP/ZrO2) composite thin films and their electrochemical properties. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek. 14. Daniel, L.S, Nauyoma, H, Likukela, G., & Uahengo, V.(2015, October). Electrical resistivity and photocurrent density of Ag nanoparticle/titania composite thin films fabricated using molecular precursor method. Poster presented at the International Conference on Light Science and Applications, Windhoek. 15. Daniel, L.S. (2015, August). Percolation threshold found for electrical resistivity of silver nanoparticles/titania composite thin films fabricated using molecular precursor method. Paper presented at the 45th World Chemistry Congress and IUPAC-2015, . Bexco, Busan, South Korea. 16. Daniel, L.S. (2015, October). Uniqueness of Molecular Precursor Method (MPM)Route Toward a New Type Solar Cell. Paper presented at the International Renewable Energy Symposium, Windhoek. 17. Daniel, L.S., Hishimone, P., & Kiremire, E.M.R. Synthesis and characterization of transition metal complexes containing ligands derived from 2-acetylpyridine and hydrazine derivatives.(2015, August). Paper presented at the 22nd International Society of Pure and Applied Coordination Chemistry Symposium, Windhoek. 18. Deelie C., & Julies E.M. Population Structure and Recruitment Patterns of the Indigenous Mussel Perna perna and the Alien Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis on the Central Coast of Namibia. Poster presented at the International Conference on 61
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation of Marine Ecosystems, University of Hong Kong. 19. Despaigne, E.C., Cabrera, R.P., Martínez, M.H., Puente, R.R., García, J.A.L. (2015, July). Modelo orientado a grafos de apoyo a la toma de decisiones sobre los RRHH en proyectos de software. Paper presented at the13th LACCEI Annual International Conference, Santo Domingo. 20. Despaigne, E.C., Cabrera, R.P., Martinez, M.H., Puente, R.R., & Garcia, J.A,L.(2015). Herramienta para la representación de un modelo orientado a grafos de las relaciones existentes en proyectos de software. Paper presented at the International Congress COMPUMAT 2015. Habana. 21. Dias-Sardinas, A., Mufeti, T.K. & Nhinda. G.T. (2015, November). Software Engineering Curriculum: A new approach. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 22. Efraim, D., & Wanke, A., (2015, November). Seismic stratigraphy as a method to delineate genetic stratigraphic units for the Namibian passive continental margin. Abstract presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 23. Ferdinand, J., Ekandjo, A., & Mukakalisa, C. (2015). Evaluating the presence of CP4EPSPS protein in Namibian soybean. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 24. Festus, J., & Wanke, H. (2015, November). Identifying Groundwater Recharge for a Groundwater system based on Hydrochemistry and Stable isotopes study in the Zambezi aquifer, Zambezi Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 25. Gatsinzi (2015, September). A note on the formality of some contact manifolds. Paper presented at TAAG 2015, North-West University, Mafikeng. 26. Haihambo (2015, September). Endpoints in T0 quasi-metric spaces. Paper presented at TAAG 2015, North-West University, Mafikeng. 27. Hamutoko, J.T., Uugulu, S., & Wanke, H. (2015, September). Use of environmental isotopes to understand groundwater recharge processes in Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek. 28. Hamutoko, J.T., Wanke, H, Koeniger, P, Gaj, M., Beyer, M., Lohe, C., Masule, N., & Quinger, M. (2015). Use of environmental Isotopes to study groundwater recharge of perched aquifers in the Cuvelai Etosha Basin, Namibia. Paper presented aat the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Symposium, Vienna. 62
29. Hamutoko, J.T., Wanke, H., Beyer, M., Gaj, M., & Koeniger, P, (2015). Use of stable water isotopes to understand the perched aquifer system of the Cuvalei-Etosha Basin, Namibia. Paper presented at Waternet 16, Mauritius. 30. Haslund, P.P., Wanke, H., & Hamutoko, J.T. (2015, November). A Time Series Approach to Hydrochemistry and Water Quality of the Perched Aquifers in the CuvelaiEtosha Basin, Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 31. Haulyauke, L.N., & Uahengo V. (2015). Synthesis of a β-naphthol based colorimetric sensor for cations and anions in aqueous soluble. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 32. Iiyambo E.N., Ekandjo, A., & Mukakalisa, C. (2015). Investigating the present of cry1 Ab protein in Namibian corn using standard PCR. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 33. Iiyambo, P.T. (2015, November-December). Paper presented at 57th SASA Conference, Pretoria. 34. Iyawa, G.E., Mufeti, T.K., & Limbo, A. (2015). ICT Skills Demand in Namibia: A Comparative Analysis of Job Adverts and Industrial Preference. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 35. Joseph, R., Wanke, A., & Lohe, C. (2015, November). Determination of Hydraulic Parameters of the Ohangwena Aquifers and Aquitards based on borehole WW203302. Abstract presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 36. Julies, E., Alema, A., Smith, Gebrekidanasgedom, A., Zenebe, G., Jampani, M., Gebrechorkos, S., Ito, M., & Hettiarachchi, H. (2015. March). Application of Bioaugmentation for Sustainable Treatment of used water in Namibia and Ethiopia. Water, Soil and Waste. Paper presented at the Dresden Nexus Conference, Dresden. 37. Kadhila-Muandingi, N.K., Sekhoacha, M., & Chinsembu, K.C. (2015, September). Screening of indigenous Namibian mushrooms for their antimicrobial activities against sensitive and resistant strains of the malaria parasites. Paper presented at the 3rd South Africa-Namibia Joint Researchers’ Workshop, Windhoek. 38. Kadhila-Muandingi, N.P., Chinsembu, K.C., Sekhoacha, M., M.G Matsabisa, & Tselanyane, M. (2015, November). Evaluation of selected indigenous Namibian mushrooms for antimalarial properties. Paper presented at the International Symposium 63
on Methods for Studying Drug Metabolism and Transport, and African Traditional Medicines, Pretoria. 39. Kadhila-Muandingi, N.P., Raidron, C.V., & Ndjambula, S.V. (2015, November). Identification of mycochemicals in selected indigenous Namibian mushrooms. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 40. Kambindjii, A.N., Ekandjo, A., & Mukakalisa, C. (2015). Evaluating the presence of natural and synthetic cry3A proteins in potatoes eaten in Namibia. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 41. Kamona, A.F., & Kapuka, E. (2015). Rare earth elements in tourmaline from Neuschwaben pegmatites. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium. 42. Kapewangolo, P. (2015). Scientific validation of Namibian ethnomedicines used in the management of HIV/AIDS. Paper presented at the NCRST Conference, Windhoek. 43. Kazembe, L.N. (2015). Time series model - particularly dynamic lag distributed models were outlined demonstrating the linkage between malaria, malnutrition and dysentery to changing temperature and rainfall patterns using data drawn from different countries. Paper presented at Climate Change and Health meeting in Lusaka and Pretoria. 44. Kazembe, L.N. (2015, November-December). Paper presented at 7th UAPS conference, Pretoria. 45. Knott, M., & Kapewangolo, P. (2015). The isolation, structural determination and selective in vitro HIV-1 integrase enzyme inhibition of 1E,3R,4S,5E,7Z-1-bromo 3,4,8trichloro-7-(dichloromethyl)-3-methylocta-1,5,7-triene from a Namibian Plocamium species. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 46. Knott, M.G., Louw, S., Kapewangolo, P., & Ishola, A.S. (2015, September). Isolation, structural determination and bioactivity of a natural volatile compound; 1E, 3R, 4S, 5E, 7Z-1-bromo-3,4,8-trichloro-7-(dichloromethyl)-3-methylocta-1,5,7-triene from a th Namibian Plocamium species.Paper presented at the 46 International Symposium on Essential Oils, Lublin. 47. Kupololo, E.S., Maritz, C., & Archibong, E.F. (2015). Computational studies of Thiamine – Ca2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+ Complexes. Paper presented at the 22nd International SPACC Symposium, UNAM, Windhoek. 48. Likukela, G., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, August). Absorption Spectra and Photo catalytic Properties of Ag-Nanoparticles/TiO2 Composite Thin films with Various Amounts of 64
Ag. Paper presented at the 22nd International Society of Pure and Applied Coordination Chemistry Symposium, Ongwediva. 49. Likukela, G., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, November). Optical and Photo catalytic Properties of Ag-Nanoparticles/TiO2 Composite Thin films with Various Amounts of Ag. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 50. Louw, S., Kandjengo, L., & Knott, M.G. (2015, November). Estimation of the retention indices of halogenated monoterpenes from a Plocamium species to facilitate rapid chemotaxonomic identification using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Paper presented at the 3rd Faculty of Science Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 51. Lubongo, C., & Uahengo, V. (2015). Synthesis of a dual sensor bearing β-naphthol based colorimetric sensor for anions. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 52. Malima, H., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, November). Fabrication of Ag/TiO2 Composite Thin Films at Different Heat treatment Temperature Using Molecular Precursor Method (MPM). Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 53. Mapani, B., & Kambinda, W. (2015, October). The Naukluft Dolomite Aquifer, SW Namibia: results of modelling and implications for water abstraction. Paper presented at the 16th WaterNet/GWP/WARFSA Symposium, Mauritius. 54. Mapani, B., Mapaure, I., Miller, J., Vennemann, T., Kambinda, W., & Naude, K. (2015, September). Understanding the interdependence of water resources, climate change and biodiversity in arid to semi-arid regions of Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Namibia-South Africa joint researchers’ workshop, Windhoek. 55. Mapaure, I. (2015, July). Feasibility study for Virtual Research Development & Innovation Network: The Namibian situation. Paper presented at a Workshop on Feasibility Study for the implementation of Virtual Research Development and Innovation Network for the SADC Region, in Polokwane, South Africa. 56. Mapaure, I. (2015, April). Feasibility study for virtual research development & innovation network: Insights from UNAM. Paper presented at a Workshop on Feasibility Study for the implementation of Virtual Research Development and Innovation Network, Dar es Salaam. 57. Mapaure, I. (2015, November). The University of Namibia’s (UNAM) Research and Innovation Landscape. Paper presented at the Southern Africa-Nordic Centre (SANORD) Partner Day, UNAM, Windhoek. 65
58. Mapaure, I., & Kapenda, H.M. (2015, February). The role of the research & publications office in promoting research and innovation excellence at UNAM. Paper presented at the TLIU Staff Induction Workshop, Windhoek. 59. Masule, N.L., Wanke, H., & Mbako, L. (2015, September). Isotope hydrological study in the Lower Swakop River, Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek. 60. Mufeti, R.K., Hashiyana, V.K., & Mwatilifange, S.R. (2015, November). Teaching Computer Literacy in the 21st Century. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 61. Mugochi, (2015, September). Local connectedness for nearness frames. Paper presented at TAAG 2015, North-West University, Mafikeng. 62. Mutjida, P.S., Hans, R.H., & Louw, S. (2015, November). Isolation and characterisation of the chemical constituents found in an indigenous medicinal plant, Pergularia daemia. Oral and poster presentations at the 3rd Faculty of Science Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 63. Naimhwaka, J.H., & Uahengo, V. (2015). Synthesis of naphthoquinone based phenylhydrazone colorimetric sensor for F-, AcO-, CN- and OH- ions. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 64. Nanhapo, D., Kiremire, E.M.R., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, August). The synthesis of Cu(II) and Ag(I) complexes containing thiosemicarbozone ligands derived from di(2pyridyl) methanone and 1,3-diaminothiourea. Paper presented at the 22nd International Society of Pure and Applied Coordination Chemistry Symposium, Ongwediva. 65. Nickanor, N.M. (2015, November-December). Paper presented at the 7th UAPS conference, Pretoria. 66. Nuumbembe, W, Naris, H., Sibeso, M., Kanyama, C., Iiyambo, P., & Wanke, H. (2015, November). Fluoride removal tests with bone char, clay and aluminium amended materials for groundwater of the Cuvelai Etosha Basin, Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 67. Nuuyoma, H., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, August). Optical band gap properties of copper ox ide thin films fabricated using flow coating method. Paper presented at the 22nd Intern ational Society of Pure and Applied Coordination Chemistry Symposium, Ongwediva.
68. Nuuyoma, H., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, November). Optical properties and Band gap cal 66
culation of copper oxide thin films fabricated using flow coating method. Paper presen ted at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 69. O’Neill, J., Ahmed, I., & Bidwell, N.J. (2015). Peer-to-peer in the workplace: A view from the road. Accepted to CHI’16, San Jose. 70.
Orus, S.F., Hans, R.H., & Louw, S. (2015, November) Chemical characterization of the essential oil of an indigenous aromatic herb of the genus Hemizygia. Poster presented at the 3rd Faculty of Science Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek.
71. Pazvakawambwa, L. (2015, November-December). Paper presented at 7th UAPS conference, Pretoria. 72. Penda, H.H., Maritz, C., & Archibong, E.F. (2015). A Computational Studies of Olaparib: A New Drug for Treating Ovarian Cancer. Paper presented at the 22nd International SPACC Symposium, UNAM, Windhoek. 73. Pérez, R.M., Vega, Y.T., Betancourt, Y.G.P., Polanco, L.G., Ruíz, J.J.H., & Puente, R.R (2015, September). Estratificación de territorios basada en indicadores de salud. Paper presented at the Conferencia Científica de la Universidad de Ciencas Informáticas, Cuba. 74. Petrus, F.N., Masihairabgwi,J., & Kapewangolo, P. (2015). Phytochemical screening, Antioxidant properties, total phenolic content and cyanogenic potential of various cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta crantz) from east Okavango and Oshikoto regions Namibia. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 75. Puente, R.R., & Lazo-Cortés, M.S. (2015). Shortest path search: current applications. Paper presented at the International Congress COMPUMAT. Habana. 76. Regmi, K.R., Weinberg, R., Nicholls, I., & Maas, R. Evidence of hybridisation in the Tynong Province granitoids (Abstract submitted to IGCP 2016). 77. Rodríguez-Puente, R., Ril-Valentin, E.B., & Mufeti, T.K. (2015, November). Data mining applications at universities. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 78. Rodríguez-Puente, R., Sheetekela, P., & Mufeti, T.K. (2015, November). Software development from the academy. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek.
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79. Rodriquez-Puente, R., Sheetekela, P., & Mufeti, T.K. (2015, November). Software Engineering Curriculum: A new approach. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 80. Shapumba, C.W., Knott, M., & Kapewangolo, P. (2015). Antioxidant potential of Plocamium suhri.. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 81. Shaumbwa (2015, November). The Huq commutator for group. Paper presented at the Annual Faculty of Science Conference. 82. Shaumbwa (2015, September). A characterization of the Huq commutator. Paper presented at TAAG 2015, North-West University, Mafikeng. 83. Sheehama, J.T., Hans R.H., Nott, K., & Louw, S. (2015, November)., Chemical characterization of volatile constituents of essential oil from the Commiphora wildii (Omumbiri) resin. Paper presented at the 3rd Faculty of Science Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 84. Shiyanga, Knott, M., & Kapewangolo, P. (2015). Anti-HIV and antimicrobial properties of Plocamium suhrii, Namibian red algae. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 85. Suresh, N., Mbale, J., Terzoli, A., & Mufeti, T.K. (2015). Enhancing cloud connectivity among NRENs in the SADC region through a novel institution cloud infrastructure framework. Paper presented at the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Networks and Computer Communications, Windhoek. 86. Taapopi, J., & Wanke, H, (2015, November). Application of the chloride mass balance method to determine groundwater recharge in the area of farm Ebenhaezer. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 87. Teklay, M., Thole, J., Wirth, K., Harris, M., & Regmi, K. (2015, December). Picrites of the Jungfrau and Sargdeckel hills, Karibib, Namibia. Paper presented at the AGU-Fall meeting, San Francisco. 88. Titus, J. & Uahengo, V. (2015). The making of an alcoholic spirit (Ombike) of consistent quality from selected Namibian natural non-wood forest products. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, UNAM, Windhoek. 89. Torres-Pérez, M., & Rodríguez-Puente, R. (2015). A brief overview about models and methods to calculate the tilt angle and orientation of photovoltaic panels to maximize 68
power generation. Paper presented at the Light Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 90. Uahengo, V., Zhou, N., Xiong, B., Cai, P., Hu, K., & Cheng, G. (2015, August). Synthesis and Characterization of a New Dinuclear Platinum(II) alkynyl complex with a Ferrocene Bridge and It's interaction with Silver Ion. Paper presented at SPACC22, Windhoek. 91. Ueitele, I.S.E., Chimwamurombe, P.M., & Kadhila-Muandingi N.P. (2015, November). Molecular phylogeny of Trametes and related genera from Northern Namibia. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Methods for Studying Drug Metabolism and Transport, and African Traditional Medicines, Pretoria. 92. Ueitele, I.S.E., Chimwamurombe, P.M., Louw, S., & Kadhila-Muandingi, N.P. (2015, November). Mycochemical and Antimicrobial screening of indigenous Trametes species from Northern Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Faculty of Science Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 93. Uhrin, M., Benda, P., Vallo, P., & Eiseb, S.J. (2015). New records of bats from northern Namibia. Poster presented at the 12th International African Small Mammal Symposium, Mantosoa, Madagascar. 94. Uugulu, S., Wanke, H., Hijamutiti, M., & Mbahepa, U. (2015, November). An isotopic investigation of the Eiseb Graben aquifer, Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 95. Uusiku, A., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, August). Synthesis and characterization of metal complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine and di-2-pyridyl ketone Schiff base ligands derived from s-methyldithiocarbazate fragment. Poster presented at the 22nd International Society of Pure and Applied Coordination Chemistry Symposium, Ongwediva. (Won Best Poster presentation). 96. Uusiku, A., Kiremire, E.M.R., & Daniel, L.S. (2015, November). The study of metal complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine and di-2-pyridyl ketone Schiff base ligands derived from s-methyldithiocarbazate fragment. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek. 97. Van Wyk, M., Hans, R.H., Pool, E.J., Kwembeya , E.G., & Louw, S. (2015, November). Identification of the major volatile constituents of the Tumbleweed, Trachyandra laxa. Paper presented at the 3rd Faculty of Science Annual Science Research Conference, Windhoek.
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98. Wanke, A. (2015). Aspects on Tertiary Education Related to the E & P Sector. Paper presented at workshop on Namibia Oil & Gas Regulatory Capacity Study. organized by Lemlex Energy and Shell Namibia. 99. Wanke, A. (2015, June). Represented the Geology Department, UNAM, at Global E&P Industry Show - Getenergy Event, London. 100. Wanke, A. (2015, September). Keynote speaker on regional education aspects in the recommendation for best practice in tertiary education sectors at the 3 rd Regional SOMP conference, Windhoek. 101. Wanke, A., & Sibeya, V. (2015, November). Seismic Study of the Orange Basin as Part of the Hunt for Oil beneath Namibian Waters. Abstract presented at the 3rd Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 102. Wanke, H., & Koeniger, P. (2015, October). Laser Applications in Hydrogeology: Examples from Namibia. Paper presented at the International Conference on Light Science and Application, Windhoek. 103. Wanke, H., Hamutoko, J.T., & Kumar, B. (2015). Isotope-hydrology investigation of groundwater in the Namib Desert, Namibia. Paper presented at the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Symposium, Vienna. 104. Wanke, H., Naris, H., & Nuumbembe, W. (2015). Fluoride removal tests with bone char, clay and aluminium amended materials for groundwater of the Cuvelai Etosha Basin, Namibia. Paper presented at Waternet 16, Mauritius. 105. Wilkens (2015, January). Small conjugacy classes in finite p-groups. Paper presented at the 3rd Biennial International Group Theory Conference, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran. 106. Wilkens (2015, September). Finite p-groups whose subgroups are close to normal. Paper presented at TAAG 2015, North-West University, Mafikeng. 107. Zhang, X., Veikko, U., Mao, J., Cai, P., & Peng, T. (2015, October). Visible-light induced photocatalytic hydrogen production over a binuclear Ru-bipyridyl dye sensitized TiO2, without noble metal loading. Paper presented at the International Conference of Light, Windhoek, Namibia.
Other publications
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1. Banyaga, A., Gatsinzi, J.B., & Massamba, F. (2015). A note on the formality of some contact manifolds. TAAG 2015, Mafikeng. 2. Clemens, J.D., Regmi, K., Nicholls, I.A., Weinberg, R., & Maas, R. (2016). The Tynong pluton, its mafic synplutonic sheets and igneous microgranular enclaves: the nature of the mantle connexion in I-type granitic magmas. (CTMP submitted in 2015 and accepted in 2016). 3.
Gatsinzi, J.B. (2015). Euclidean Geometry. Lecture Notes.
4. Gumbo, V., & Jaison, A. (2015). Loss given default modelling. Elsevier Banking and Finance Journal. (Submitted, 2015). 5.
Gumbo, V., & Jaison, A. Retail probability of default modelling. Elsevier Banking and Finance Journal. (Submitted, 2015).
6. Gumbo, V., & Zoromedza, S. (2015). Bank failure prediction model for Zimbabwe. Elsevier Banking and Finance Journal. (Submitted, 2015). 7. Kangombe, F. N., Moses, M.N., & Kwembeya, E.G. (2015). The role of the National Botanic Garden of Namibia in plant species conservation. Submitted to the International Science and technology Journal of Namibia. 8. Kazembe, J., Gambiza, J., & Mapaure, I. (2015). The spatio-temporal dynamics of riverine wetlands: Linking vegetation pattern to hydrologic processes. Paper submitted to African Journal of Ecology AFJE-15-286 (August, 2015). 9. Regmi, K.R., Nicholls, I.A., & Weinberg, R. (2016). Testing the chemical signature of chaotic mixing (submitted in 2015 and published in 2016 Himalayan Geology). 10. Regmi, K.R., Weinberg, R., Nicholls, I., & Maas, R.(2016). Evidence of hybridisation in the Tynong Province granitoids. (Submitted in 2015 and revised in 2016 to AJES). 11. Shaumbwa, V. A characterization of the Huq commutator. (Submitted, 2015). 12. Szekelyhidi, l., & Wilkens, B. (2015). Spectral synthesis and residually finitedimensional algebras. Journal of Pure and App. Algebra. (Submitted, 2015). 13. Wilkens, B. More on core-2 2-groups. Journal of Group Theory. (Submitted, 2015).
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Funded research projects
Euro 5000.00 (approximately N$87 200) towards the development of an implementation plan for the project by R. Hans: “Study on Namibian leafy vegetables and wild edible fungi as potential food supplement and complementary medicinal applications”. N$ 500 000-00 was channelled towards the renewable energy research by EIF Namibia (Daniel, L. and Uahengo, V). The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the form of monetary support to the tune N$93 471.45 sponsored our final year student projects as well as support for staff to attend international conferences and other related research activities (Statistics and Population Studies Department). Prof. L. Kazembe and Dr N. Nickanor: Urban livelihoods, quality of life and health in informal settlements, Namibia. Funded by National Commission for Research, Science and Technology. Collaborator: Dr N. Nickanor. (2014-2016). Prof. Kazembe: Liverpool-Malawi PhD partnership: Studentship in Social statistics, funded by UK Economic and Social Research Council. Collaborators: Prof. P. Diggle, Dr Anja Terlouw (2013-2016). Prof. Kazembe: The W.K Kellogg Biological Station Long-term Ecological Research (KBS LTER) programme of Michigan State University (MSU) in partnership with the University of Malawi (UNIMA). Collaborators: Prof. Snapp (MSU), Mr. P. Mpeketula (UNIMA), Prof. J. Namangale (UNIMA). (2012-2015). Pazvakawambwa, L. Short-Term Scholarship for Clinic on Dynamical Approaches to Infectious Disease Data (DAIDD), International Clinics on Infectious Disease and Data (ICI3D) Programme, supported by the National Institute of General Medical Science of the National Institutes of Health, R25GM102149. Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA, 11- 22 December 2014. Adam, F-M. NCRST Project N0.2ndC/1214/001 EnoSocsHealth Energy generation from urban waste. Chemical Composition, Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Indigenous Edible Wild Fungi in Namibia: Termitomyces and Pleurotus mushrooms; Funded by UNAM-RPC. Chemical analysis of cultivated mushrooms synthesis of chemosensors and their application to ionic detection in aqueous and organic media. Funded by UNAM-RPC.
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Total value of funded research projects Table 1. Value of funded research project Source Internal External 680 671.45 Amount (N$) Number of publications in internationally accredited journals
Total
Table 2. Types and number of publication for the year 2015 in the Faculty of Science Type Number
Refereed Journals 83
Refereed Chapters Books in Books 2 8
Conference Other Total papers publications 115 11 219
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES Astrophysics Group Members: R. Steenkamp, M. Backes & I.D. Davids During 2015 the Astrophysics Group continued its involvement in the highly successful international collaboration, the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) located in Namibia, and sent a few students to work shifts there as part of their research projects. Three students were sent to the NWU in South Africa to learn the use of the H.E.S.S. data-analysis software. This group also continued its task in engaging the Ministry of Education and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) to be appointed to host the southern observatory of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA South) in Namibia. Following the twinning of UNAM and NWU, this group was also instrumental in catalysing a proposal by the National Research Foundation and Department of Science and Technology of South Africa to jointly fund a /bi-lateral Research Chair in Multi-Wavelength Astronomy. The other half should come from the NCRST and will be decided upon in 2016. Dr Michael Backes continued his phenomenally successful streak of funding applications and securing more grants and support for the Astrophysics research group and its students. Nuclear Science and Energy Group Members: J.A. Oyedele, S.A. Shimboyo & E.E. Taapopi The Radiation Physics Group continued to do research on the distribution and concentrations of natural radioisotopes in several locations in Namibia, using equipment provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a joint project with the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Authority of Namibia. Several students were involved in this endeavour as part of their final year research project. The group successfully acquired some nuclear equipment 73
from external sources and through Namibia CPF, and is setting up a nuclear science teaching and research laboratory. The Nuclear Science Group together with a student, M. Kashiva, studied the distributions and concentrations of natural radioisotopes in the soils of the Ohorongo Cement Plant, Otavi, Namibia. The project was funded by the University of Namibia, and the nuclear equipment used was provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through the government of Namibia. The HPGe detector of the Nuclear Science Group malfunctioned and great efforts were made to repair this valuable piece of equipment at significant expense to the Department. The repaired instrument is expected back in the first half of 2016. Laser Optics Group Members: S. Singh & N. Shafudah This group organised and lead the efforts for and International Conference on Light Science and Applications (ICLSA2015) that was very successful. Research was conducted in the field of optical properties of water samples as part of Mr Shafudah’s M.Sc. studies.
Private Bag 13301, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo, Ave. Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264-61-206-3401, Fax: +264-61-206-3791, E-mail:
[email protected] Light for a Brighter Namibia International Conference on Light Science and Applications (ICLSA) 26th – 28th of October 2015
Renewable Energy Group Members: Daniel L.S, Uahengo V., Dobreva P. The Society of Pure and Applied Coordination Chemistry (SPACC) symposium was initiated in Tokyo 21 years ago by the SPACC fellow, Prof. Yano, and has been held annually and consecutively ever since. It was our great pleasure to host this 22nd SPACC Symposium for the first time on the African continent. The conference aimed to foster and conduct collaborative interdisciplinary research in state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies within Chemistry, 74
Engineering, Biology, Materials Science, Geology and Applied Physics. The meeting attracted participants with different international backgrounds, mainly from Japan (13), Mauritius (1) and South Africa (1), to foster cross-pollination between different research fields, and to expose and discuss innovative theories, frameworks, methodologies, tools and applications.
Private Bag 13301, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo, Ave. Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264-61-206-3390, Fax: +264-61-206-3791, E-mail:
[email protected] The 22nd International SPACC Symposium (SPACC22) August 13 – 17, 2015, Windhoek, Namibia
Ms Dobreva continued research in this regard as part of her PhD. studies and another two finalyear student projects were completed in this field. Two conference papers were presented, namely the SASEC 2015 (Southern African Solar Energy Conference) and SAIP 2015 (South African Institute of Physics) Conference. Ms Dobreva also successfully applied for Staff Development Leave for 2016 to work on her PhD studies. Annual Science Research Conference The Faculty of Science held its third Annual Science Research Conference on 18 and 19 November at the UNAM Library, Main Campus. Several members of the academic staff as well as undergraduate and post-graduate students presented their research. Highlights of Research Activities conducted in 2015
Phytochemical characterization of indigenous plants. Comparison of solid phase extraction (SPE) and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) for the analysis of pesticides in drinking water using Gas Chromatography (GC). The design and synthesis of Chalcone derivatives. QSPR study of favipiravir, an experimental Ebola drug. Phytochemical and antimicrobial analysis of secondary metabolites from the chewing stick, Diospyros lyciodes and Euclea divinorum. Anti-HIV screening of selected plant species belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Determination of proteins in the sea foam from the coastal area of Namibia (Walvis Bay and Swakopmund). Isolation and structure elucidation of potentially, anti-infective agents from traditionally used medicinal plants Phytochemical analysis of Namibian wild fruits to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. 75
Validation and verification of the Expanded Table for Transition Metal Carbonyl and Main Group Elements. Evaluation of selected Namibian medicinal plants for anti-HIV properties. Phytochemical and nutritional profiling as well as biological activities of Kalahari tuber pfeilii in Namibia. Nutrient content of Maxau and Âudaï, fermented beverages from //Karas Region, Namibia. Comparison of different local Namibian oils against commercial sunflower oil. Computational studies of Olaparib: A new drug for treating ovarian cancer Computational studies of Thiamine – Ca2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+ Complexes Evaluation of the antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activity of selected Namibian indigenous vegetables and characterization of their phenolic compounds. Evaluation of the antitubercular, antimalarial and potential drug-drug interaction of bioactive compounds isolated from lead-like enhanced extracts from selected Namibian medicinal plants. Isolation and characterization of potential anti-HIV compounds from Maerua schinzii and Catophractes alexandri. Development of a liquid-liquid microextraction method for simultaneous determination of illicit psychoactive drugs in human blood. Isolation and characterisation of toxins from the Tumbleweed, Trachyandra laxa, responsible for livestock loss in Namibia. Isolation and characterisation of toxins from the Wild Everlasting, Helichrysum argyrosphaerum, responsible for livestock loss in Namibia. Chemical characterization of volatile constituents of the essential oil from Omumbiri, Commiphora wildii, resin. SASSCAL (Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Use). OPTIMASS (Options for sustainable geo-biosphere feedback management in savanna systems under regional and global change). Geochemistry and Geophysics of basement rocks in Namibia. The regional study on the Naukluft Aquifer. SPACES: Climate archives. Hydraulic parameters of the Ohangwena Aquifers. Petrogenesis of Karibib picrites.
CONCLUSION The Faculty of Science was highly productive in research activities and output during 2015 and managed to publish 83 articles in peer-reviewed journals, produce two books and eight book chapters and present 115 papers at national and international conferences. The funding for most 76
of these conferences was sourced from outside UNAM. Challenges faced by academic members of the faculty are high teaching loads; limited laboratory space to conduct research since all the laboratories are currently used for teaching; limited equipment; no budget for research activities, except the limited amount of funding from the Research and Publication Office. We are continuously striving to conduct quality research within these limitations.
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1.6
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH
ASSOCIATE DEAN’S STATEMENT This research report reflects the achievements of both the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health for 2015. The School of Public Health only became a stand-alone School on 1 January 2016. The report reflects on the following: 1) Research strategic direction and the 2) Publications for 2015. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION The research in the School of Nursing and Public Health was directed by: a) Staff development research for Masters and PhD degrees b) Post-graduate research directed by observation of trends in clinical practice c) Presentation of research papers at conferences d) Review of articles submitted for publication to accredited journals PUBLICATIONS Academic staff and postgraduate students continued to be prolific in research and publishing with regard to society, lifestyle and health. 1. Amakali, K. (2015). Clinical Management of the Patient with Heart Failure: A Nursing Care Perspective. Cardiol Pharmacol, 4(2), 1-5. doi: 10.4172/23296607.1000142. 2. Amukugo, H., Amakali, K., & Sipa, K. (2015). Perceptions of health workers regarding the occupational health services rendered at Onandjokwe Hospital, Namibia. Journal of Hospital Administration, 4(5). doi: 10.5430/jha.v4n6p1. 3. Amukugo, H.J., Jooste, K., & Van Dyk, A. (2015). Development of model to facilitate male involvement in the reproductive health context by registered nurses. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(2), 122-130. 4. Amukugo, H.J., & Mathew, A. (2015). Perception of student nurses regarding the delivery of quality nursing care in Katutura health centre, Windhoek and Khomas region. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(2), 122-130. 5. Amukugo, H.J. Haoses-Gorases, L. (2015). The link between routine diet, attention span and scholastic performance among grade 2 scholars in circuit 1 in Khomas region, Namibia. Journal of Medicine and Medical Science, 6(7), 124-150.
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6. Haufiku D., Amukugo, H.J.(2015). Prevalence and factors associated with obesity amongst employees of open-cast diamond mine in Namibia. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(2), 85 -93. 7. Angula, P., Ncama, B.P., & Frohlich, J. (2015). Assessment of HIV/AIDS Stigma in a Rural Namibia Community. World Journal of AIDS, 2, 199-207. 8. Chipare, M.A., Van Dyk, A., & Amukugo, H. (2015). A health education programme to enhance the knowledge and communication skills of health care workers who serve people living with HIV/AIDS in Namibia. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(2), 137-148. 9. Damases, C., Mello-Thoms, C., & McEntee, M. (2016). Interobserver variability in mammographic density assessment using Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) synoptic scales. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, In Press. 10. Damases, C., Brennan, P., Mello-Thoms, C., & McEntee, M. (2016). Mammographic Breast Density Assessment Using Automated Volumetric Software and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) Categorization by Expert Radiologists. Academic Radiology, 23(1), 70-77. 11. Damases, C., Brennan, P., & McEntee, M. (2015). Mammographic density measurements are not affected by mammography system. Journal of Medical Imaging, 2(1), 1-5. 12. Kloppers, J., Van Dyk, A., & Nelumbu, L. (2015). Implementation of an educational programme for caregivers of the elderly in Windhoek and Rehoboth, Namibia. International Journal of Medicine, 3(2), 56-62. doi:10.14419/ijm.v3i2.4835. 13. Kloppers, J. M., Nelumbu, L. N., Nauiseb, T., Angula, P., Tibinyane, M. B. & Sumpi, N. G. (2015). Experience of a health day at the University of Namibia: A community service. International Journal of Medicine, 3(2), 108-111. 14. Kloppers J.M., & Pretorius, L. (2015). Evaluation of the educational programme for caregivers of the elderly in Windhoek and Rehoboth, Namibia. International Journal of Medicine, 3(2), 69-71. doi: 10.14419/ijm.v3i2.5083. 15. Kuugongelwa, S., & Small, L.F. (2015). Assessment of experiences of cerebrovascular accidents and their caregivers functioning at home in the Oshana region of Namibia. International Journal of Advance Nursing Studies, 4(2), 153-157.
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16. Mshinyimana, B., Van der Vyver, M., & Kloppers, J. (2015). Experiences of Children’s Care Received at Windhoek Residential Child Care Facilities, Namibia. Open Journal of Nursing, 5, 773- 783. 17. Nelumbu, L.N., & Pretorius, L. (2015). A conceptual framework for an educational programme to facilitate reflective practice for registered nurses in training hospitals in Windhoek. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(1), 38-43. doi: 10.144 19/ijans. ISSN 2227-488X. 18. Nelumbu, L.N. & Pretorius, L. (2015). Conceptual framework for facilitating reflective practice by nurses in the clinical setting. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(1), 38-43. 19. Nelumbu, L.N. (2015). Reflective practice programme for registered nurses in training hospitals in Windhoek. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(2), 94-102. 20. Nelumbu, L.N. (2015). Implementation of reflective practice programme for registered nurses. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 4(2), 115121. 21. Nelumbu, L.N. (2015). Evaluation of the reflective practice programme. International Journal of Medicine, 3(2), 103-107. 22. Nelumbu, P.N., Amakali, K., & Hofnie-Hoëbes, K. (2016). Application of elements of the informed choice of modern contraceptives among reproductive aged women in the Khomas region. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 6(2), 1-9. doi: 10.5430/jnep.vXnXpXX. 23. Neshuku H., & Amukugo, H.J. (2015). Experiences of registered nurses regarding the clinical supervision in medical and surgical wards: Development of an Educational Programme to support registered nurses. International Journal of Medicine, 3(20), 80-86. 24. Neshuku H., & Amukugo, H.J. (2015). Development of an Educational Programme to support registered nurses during clinical supervision of student nurses in medical and surgical wards in training health facilities in Oshana region, Namibia (2015). International Journal of Medicine 3(20), 87-97. Conference Papers 1. Amukugo H.J. & Salomo, S. (2015, August). Experiences of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the four Northern Regions of Namibia. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Tau Lambda at-Large Conference. Johannesburg. 80
2. Damases, C., Mello-Thoms, C., & McEntee, M. (2015). Interobserver variability within BIRADS and RANZCR mammographic density assessment schemes. SPIE Medical Imaging 2016: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, Washington USA: SPIE Publications. 3. Damases, C., Brennan, P., McEntee, M. (2015). The impact of mammographic imaging systems on density measurement. SPIE Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, Washington USA: SPIE Publications. 4. McEntee, M., Damases, C. (2014). Mammographic density measurement: a comparison of automated volumetric density measurement to BIRADS. SPIE Medical Imaging 2014: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, Bellingham, Washington, USA: SPIE Publications. 5. Iita H. (2015, August). How simulation guided practice enhances skills of student nurses when they implement Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illness Paper presented at the 4th UNAM Annual Educational Conference. ”Zambezi 2015”. Katima Mulilo.
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2.
ACTIVITIES OF ACADEMIC CENTRES AND CAMPUSES
2.1
HIFIKEPUNYE POHAMBA CAMPUS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT The Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus of the University of Namibia recognizes the value of applied research to education and development related issues in Namibia and beyond. Despite lack of educational research experiences, particularly at the new campus like ours, we manage to publish in various journals and present papers at conferences. This, in our opinion, is our humble contribution. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FOCUS AREA In its Management Strategic Plan for 2012, HP Campus puts an emphasis on motivating staff and students to engage in research activities for effective knowledge creation and application. As a result, the campus set its strategic objective of increasing and broadening research output to directly respond to the current low level of research output. The following are themes as they appeared in the Research Agenda. Theme 1:
Promoting the Enhancement and Improvement of the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics and Science for Sustainable Development in Namibia
The world economy has been fluctuating, yet rapid advances in science and technology create opportunities for Namibia, as recognized with the introduction of Vision 2030. This document spells out the country’s development programs and strategies to achieve the national objectives and goal for Namibia to become an industrialized, competitive and high-performing economy by 2030, offering high living standards to its citizens. In response to the goals and objectives of Vision 2030, the HP Campus is committed to addressing the various issues and challenges pertaining to the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. Theme 2: Putting Theory into Practice for the Enhancement of Quality Teacher Education in Namibia This theme seeks to investigate the relationships between practice and the theory. Theory informs the practices that ought to take place. The question of theory and practice is evident and can be detected in how learning content is exposed to learners in the first project, how a school's management team contributes to school performance, how an advisory teacher service unit assists teachers in schools to improve their teaching and how graduates feel they have been equipped with national professional standards to meet competencies expected of any professional teacher. In all projects the focus is thus more on how the practices that individual 82
educators partake in are informed by theoretical frameworks, and determining whether there is a deviation from the theoretical models. Theme 3: Providing Quality Education Through Improved Instruction and Assessment for Sustainable Development Projects under this theme will investigate the challenges that education stakeholders in Namibia face in implementing the curriculum and seek to inform the policymakers and curriculum developers for them to address those challenges. Theme 4: Enhancing and Promoting the Teaching and Learning of Arts, Languages and Social Sciences at all Levels of Education This theme focuses on issues pertaining to the teaching and learning of arts, languages and social sciences.
Theme 5:
Enhancing Teaching and Learning at the Pre–Lower Primary Phase
The Pre-Lower Primary Phase is the foundation for later learning. As such, it is important to have ongoing research on the different aspects of the Pre-Lower Phase, such as curriculum development and implementation and practical aspects in the schools and community, in order to enhance teaching and learning in this phase of education. Theme 6:
Providing Psychosocial Support to Ensure Effective Inclusive Education
This theme aims to address the challenges related to discriminatory practices and attitudes that hinder the creation of welcoming environments, welcoming communities and inclusive societies, and achieving education for all. It also focuses on ascertaining the most effective means of embracing people with diverse needs. PUBLICATIONS Journal Articles 1. Iipinge, S.M., & Iita, A. (2015). An investigation of character traits in the context of secondary schooling in Namibia. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 24(1), 1-9. 2. Iita, A. (2015). An investigation of character traits in the context of secondary schooling in Namibia. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 24(1), 1-9.
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3. Iita, A. (2015). The implementation of new Religious and Moral Education curriculum in the post-independent Namibia. Msingi Journal of the Kenyata University. 4. Lukas, H.J. (2015). The effect of relentless monitoring and grading on teaching writing: An example from two South African Schools. Namibia CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1), 65-75. 5. Munthali, K., Theron, C., Auret, F.D., & Coelho, S.M.M. (2015). Interface behaviour and electrical performance of ruthenium Schottky contact on 4H-SiC after argon annealing. Bulletin of Materials Science, 38(3), 711-715. 6. Munthali, K., Theron, C., Auret, F.D., Coelho, S M.M., & Njoroge, E. (2015). Solid state reaction and operational stability of ruthenium Schottky contact-on-6H-SiC under argon annealing. Journal of Electronic Materials, 10(1007), 1-7. 7. Neshila, F., Miranda, H., & Zimba, R. (2015). Academic resiliency: Revising the cycle of educational failure. Namibian Educational Research Association Journal, 23, 57-79. 8. Smith, C., & Amushigamo, A. (2015). The perceived influence of school leadership on learner behaviour in a Namibian secondary school. Educational Management & Leadership, 1-18. Books and Monograms 1. Iita, A. (2015). Religious and moral education: Learners’ book Grade 7. Windhoek: MacMillan Education. 2. Iita, A. (2015). Religious and moral education: Learners’ book Grade 6. Windhoek: MacMillan Education. Chapters in Books None Conference Papers or Proceedings 1. Amushigamo, A.P., & Smith, C. (2015). Human needs satisfaction and student behaviour in a Namibian senior secondary school. ICERI2015 Proceedings. pp. 82698274. 2. Amushigamo, A. P., & Smith, C. (2015). Ubuntu school culture and positive student behaviour. ICERI2015 Proceedings. pp. 8253-8259. 3. Iita, A. (2015, October). An assessment of the Religious and Moral Education (RME) curriculum and the implementation of the RME syllabus content for grades 5-7 and grades 8-10. Paper presented at the SACHES Annual Conference, Bloemfontein. 84
4. Munthali, K.V., Theron, C.F., Auret, D., Coelho, S.M.M., & Prinsloo, L. (2015, July). A comparison of solid state reaction, electrical performance and failure mechanism of ruthenium Schottky contacts on 6H-SiC and 4H-SiC after air annealing. Paper presented at South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) conference, Port Elizabeth, RSA. 5. Munthali, K. (2015, July). A comparison of solid state reaction, electrical performance and failure mechanism of ruthenium Schottky contacts on 6H-SiC and 4H-SiC after air annealing. Paper presented at the SAIP Conference, Port Elizabeth. 6. Munthali, K. (2015, November). Current status of the technology of high temperature operating light emitting diodes. Paper presented at the University of Namibia Light Conference, Windhoek. Other Publications None CONCLUSION It is our hope that we will be able to increase our research outputs for 2016, given that we are hosting the UNAM Annual Educational Conference at our campus in August 2016.
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2.2
KATIMA MULILO CAMPUS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The UNAM: Katima Mulilo Campus continues to make significant improvements in its research and dissemination of research outputs. It gives me great pleasure to state here that apart from the satisfactory record of scholarly publications during the year under review, the campus also hosted two important research-related conferences, namely the UNAM Fourth Annual Education Conference (EDUCON 2015), 17 - 20 August 2015, and the Symposium on Border Regions in Southern Africa, 7 - 8 September 2015. Both events were well attended by national and international scholars, who presented quality research papers and shared ideas. It is also gratifying to note that our sustained efforts in encouraging research outputs have again seen Katima Mulilo Campus meeting 100% of its research output target for 2015, after a similar record in 2014. Our total research output recorded for 2015 stood at 48 articles, comprising 19 refereed journal articles, eight books, one book chapter, one monograph and 19 conference papers. This is very encouraging for us as a campus and we are looking forward to achieving the same record in the 2016 research year. The Katima Mulilo Campus management continues to encourage researchers by periodically updating them on the funds available to them in the research budget. Considering the adverse effects of the current economic meltdown, which has also affected the university, we continue to encourage our researchers to explore external collaborations and research grants as a way of supplementing our lean research budget. During the 2015 research year this effort yielded two results: (1). A two years research grant awarded by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology to the Department of Wildlife Management and Ecotourism to conduct research on the biodiversity and tourism potential of Impalila Island, Zambezi region; and (2). A one year collaborative funded research between the Department of Mathematics, Science and Sport Education and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to conduct research on the physicochemical properties and characterisation of the rice soil of the Kalimbeza Rice Research field, Zambezi region. Similar efforts are still ongoing to secure more research grants and funding collaborations. As we look forward to a fruitful 2016 research year, it is our hope that this direction will continue to yield positive results and further expand our research outreach. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FOCUS AREAS
At the Katima Mulilo Campus, we are committed to encouraging and supporting publications of research findings in peer-reviewed journals, as well attending conferences/seminars where academics can present their research, interact with professional colleagues and update their subject knowledge. We have streamlined our research focus on the pursuance and 86
implementation of the campus’s five-year Research Agenda (2014 – 2018). The research agenda has three broad themes, bearing in mind the research expertise available at the Campus to effectively implement and seek collaborations in the various research projects. The three themes are: i. Education and Quality Delivery ii. Agriculture and Environment iii. Wildlife and Ecotourism. These broad areas are very strategic to our teaching, research and community engagements. PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles 1. Abah, J., Mashebe, P., & Denuga, D.D. (2015). Prospect of Integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems into the Teaching of Sciences in Africa. American Journal of Educational Research, 3(6), 668-673. doi: 10.12691/education-3-6-1. 2. Abah, J., Mashebe, P., Ubwa, S.T., & Onjefu, S.A. (2015). Assessment of Consumers’ Exposure to Vegetable Dietary Nitrate in Katima Mulilo, Namibia. IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry, 8(2), 29-34. 3. Abah, J., Mashebe, P., Onjefu, S.A., & Malu, S.P. (2015). Assessment of the In-situ Concentrations of Some Heavy Metals in Surface Soil Dusts at the Katima Mulilo Urban Waste Dumpsite, Namibia. International Journal of Advanced Scientific and Technical Research, 5(4), 88-100. 4. Kangumu, B., & Likando, G. (2015). Mission Education in the Eastern Caprivi Strip during the Colonial Times, c1920s – ca1964. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Science, 4 (1 & 2), 205-215. 5. Kimaro, M., Lendelvo, S., & Nakanyala, J. (2015). Determinants of tourists’ satisfaction in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4 (1 & 2), 116-131. 6. Kopij G. (2015). Breeding bird community of a large cemetery in a Central European city in 1969 and 40 years later [Brutvogelgemeinschaft eines grossen Friedhofs in einer mitteleuropäischen Stadt in Jahr 1969 und 40 Jahre später]. Vogelwelt, 135. 67-74. 7. Kopij G. (2015). Population und Ausbreitung der Bartvögel (Lybidae) und gebietsfremder Stare (Sturnidae) in Lesotho [Population and distribution of the Barbets
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(Lybidae) and non-resident Starlings (Sturnidae) in Lesotho]. Ornithologische Mitteilungen, 66(9/10), 255-258. 8. Kopij G. (2015). Avian diversity in an urbanized South African grassland. Zoology & Ecology (Vilnus), 25(2), 87-100. 9. Kopij G. (2015). Avian diversity and assemblages around Ruacana Waterfall, northwestern Namibia. International Science & Technology Journal of Namibia, 5, 85-95. 10. Kopij G. (2015). Seasonal changes in avian communities in a farmland in the Cuvelei Drainage System, northern Namibia. Ornithological Observations, 6, 73-81. http://oo.adu.org.za/content.php?id=182 11. Kopij G. (2015). Breeding Avifauna of the Special Protection Area Natura 2000 ‘Grądy Odrzańskie’ in Czernica and Siechnice counties, Wroclaw district (Poland). Acta Musei Silesiae Scientiae Naturales, 64, 51-68. 12. Kopij G. (2015). Metoda kartograficzna: wersje uproszczone czy kombinowane? [Territory mapping method: simplified or combined versions?]. Ornis Polonica , 56, 137145. 13. Kopij G. (2015). Avian diversity along altitudinal gradient in Highveld/Drakensberg grasslands. Vestnik Zoologii , 49(2), 451-456. 14. Kopij G. (2015). Population expansion of Swee Waxbill Coccopygiamelanotis, Redbilled Firefinch Lagonostictasenegala and Karoo Scrub Robin Cercotrichascoryphoeus in Lesotho. Bulletin of African Bird Club, 22(2), 196-199. 15. Kopij G. (2015). The effect of the undergrowth on the breeding bird communities in urbanized afforested habitats. Alauda, 83(4), 23-31. 16. Kopij G., & Wawrzyniak M. (2015). Veränderungen in Bestand, Habitat und Brutplatzwahl der Saatkrähe Corvus frugilegus in der Stadt Wrocław im Zeitraum von 1919 bis 2010. Ornithologische Mitteilungen, 67, 20-25. 17. Mashebe, P., Abah, J., & Zulu, A. (2015). Communal farmers’ perceptions on the use of indigenous knowledge in controlling ticks and tick-borne disease (Anaplasmosis) in cattle: a case of Katima rural constituency, Zambezi region Namibia. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, (11) 155-162. doi: 10.14196/sjas.v4i11.2039 18. Nakanyala, J., Hipondoka, H.TM., & Graz, F.P. (2015). The effect of tourist roads development on road-side vegetation and soils within the Etosha National Park. International Science & Technology Journal of Namibia, 5, 40-55. 88
19. Nzwala, K. (2015). Challenges faced by student teachers when teaching through the medium of mother tongue during school based studies: A case for Katima Mulilo Campus Bachelor of Education 4 (Pre- & Lower Primary) students. Namibia CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1), 1-11. Books 1. Barker, T., Friedman, M., Kangumu, B., Slamang, M., & Von Wietersheim, E. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 4 Learner’s Book. Windhoek: Pearson. 2. Barker, T., Friedman, M., Kangumu, B., Slamang, M., and Von Wietersheim, E. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 4 Teacher’s Guide. Windhoek: Pearson. 3. Barker, T., Kangumu, B., Slamang, M., & Von Wietersheim, E. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 5 Learner’s Book. Windhoek: Pearson. 4. Barker, T., Kangumu, B., Slamang, M., & Von Wietersheim, E. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 5 Teacher’s Guide. Windhoek: Pearson. 5. Barker, T., Friedman, M., Kangumu, B.,Ravenscroft, G., & Von Wietersheim, E. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 6 Learner’s Book. Windhoek: Pearson. 6. Barker, T., Friedman, M., Kangumu, B., Ravenscroft, G., & Von Wietersheim, E. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 6 Teacher’s Guide. Windhoek: Pearson. 7. NeethlingBruwer, C., Dilley, L., Friedman, M., Kangumu, B., Morrison, K., & Du Preez, A. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 7 Learner’s Book. Windhoek: Pearson. 8. NeethlingBruwer, C., Dilley, L., Friedman, M., Kangumu, B., Morrison, K., & Du Preez, A. (2015). Platinum Social Studies Grade 7 Teacher’s Guide. Windhoek: Pearson. Chapters in Books Mukwambo, B.M. (2015). Educational research: An African approach, s.l.: Oxford University Press. Monographs Malumo, E., Masule, B.L., Mukwambo, B., Ntabi, M., Nzwala, K., & Sibuku, C. (2015). Capacity development for quality in Pre- and Lower Primary teacher education in Namibia, Windhoek: Unesco.
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Conference Papers 1. Alex, I.M., Autilliah, M.M., & Bosman, S.M. (2015, August). Investigating the Relevance of Preparatory Mathematics in Three Selected, Kindergartens in the Zambezi Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 2. Denuga, D.D. (2015, August). Understanding how Grade 11 Physical Science teachers’ subject content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge shape their mediation of learning and teaching of stoichiometry in some selected schools in Zambezi region. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 3. Haitembu, R.K., Chata, C.C., & Iipinge, S.M. (2015, August). The Teachers’ perspective of the status of Inclusive Education in the eleven selected schools in the Omusati region. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 4. Haitembu, R.K., Chata, C.C., & Iipinge, S.M. (2015, August). The Role of Parents in the Schooling Process of their Children: A Case of Eembaxu Combined School. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus 2015. 5. Kangumu, B. (2015, September). Where southern Africa’s Borders Meet: Colonial Perceptions of land and people that shaped the history of the Zambezi Region. Paper presented at the Symposium on Border Regions in Southern Africa, Katima Mulilo Campus. 6. Kunasha J., & Abah J. (2015, August). An Investigation of factors affecting practicalbased teaching of Natural Science in selected upper primary schools in the Oshana region, Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 7. Mashebe, P. (2015, October). Communal farmers perceptions on the use of indigenous knowledge in controlling ticks and tick-borne diseases of cattle: A case of Katima rural constituency of Zambezi region, Namibia. Paper presented at the African Association for the study of indigenous knowledge systems Conference, Windhoek. 8. Masule, L.B. (2015, August). The perspectives of current Ministers of Education on the merger between UNAM’s Faculty of Education and former Colleges of Education. Paper
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presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 9. Mukwambo, M., & Ngcoza, K. (2015). Sustaining the environment: A Zambezian indigenous knowledge perspective and its implication for science teaching. Paper presented at the African Association Conference for the study of indigenous knowledge systems, Windhoek. 10. Musiba, M.A., & Simasiku, M.B. (2015, August). Student teachers’ experiences in using Math club activities to enhance the understanding of concepts in basic Mathematics. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 11. Nakanyala J.M., Kapenda H.M., & Abah, J. (2015, August). Perceptions of teachers on the factors affecting effective teaching of Grade 12 Physical Science ordinary level in selected secondary schools in the Oshana region, Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 12. Nzwala K., Sibuku, C., & Masule, B. (2015, August). Capacity development for quality in pre- and lower primary education in Namibia: A case for Zambezi region of Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 13. Nzwala, K. (2015, August). Lecturers’ perceptions of mentoring and challenges faced during student mentoring sessions: A case study. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 14. Simasiku, M.B., Haimbodi N.F., & Ilukena, M.A. (2015, August). The Van Hiele model of reasoning in geometry among primary Mathematics teachers in Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 15. Sitali-Mubanga, G.N. (2015, August). Morphophonological implications of the adaptation of English loanwords into Silozi. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 16. Utete, N.C., Ilukena, M.A., & Simasiku, M.B. (2015, August). The relevance of integrating the ethno-science (Indigenous Knowledge) into upper primary Natural Science and Health Education, school curriculum in Zambezi region. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 17. Zulu, A., Kacelo, P., & Matakala, V. (2015, August). The perceptions and utilisation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) among student teachers during school-based studies: narratives from student teachers at the University of Namibia’s 91
Katima Mulilo Campus. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 18. Zulu, A., & Matakala, V. (2015, August). SBS portfolio development: perspectives from University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo Campus student teachers. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. 19. Zulu, A., Mutumba, M., & Matakala, V. (2015, August). The impact of class size on learner performance in English: A case study of Mavuluma Primary School, Zambezi region. Paper presented at the UNAM 4th Annual Education Conference (EDUCON), Katima Mulilo Campus. Funded projects Katima Mulilo Campus received two externally funded grants for research projects in 2015. They are: 1.
Two years research grant to conduct research on the biodiversity and tourism development of Impalila Island, Zambezi region. Funder: National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) Research fund: N$430,000.00 Host department: Department of Wildlife Management and Ecotourism
2.
One year grant to conduct research on the physicochemical properties and characterisation of the rice soil of Kalimbeza Rice Research Station, Zambezi region. Funder: Jointly funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and UNAM Katima Mulilo Campus. Research fund: N$210,000.00 Host department: Department of Mathematics, Science and Sport Education
Total value of funded research projects The total value of the campus’s externally funded projects in 2015 stood at N$ 640,000.00. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES On 15 April 2015 the Katima Mulilo Campus officially launched its five-year Research Agenda document. The occasion was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. L. Hangula, accompanied by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Academic Affairs, Prof. O.D. Mwandemele (then as Pro-Vice 92
Chancellor: Academic Affair and Research), Dr E. Namhila, Pro-Vice Chancellor: Administration, Finance and Resource Mobilization, (then as the university Librarian), and the university Public Relations Officer, among others. The research agenda has since served as the compass for our academics to focus their research activities on real educational and environmental issues that will have direct impact on the host community and the nation at large. In its resolve to ensure successful implementation of the research agenda, the campus management engaged researchers in a two-day consultative workshop on 21 and 22 September 2015 to discuss progress made in the various projects and to identify where the researchers may need support and advice. The workshop was a huge success as it has motivated several researchers to rethink research. This was evident from the high level of enthusiasm the researchers showed through active participation in the two conferences: UNAM 4th Annual Educational Conference and the Symposium on Border Regions in Southern Africa, hosted by the Campus in 2015. Considering that most colleagues at the Katima Mulilo Campus came from the former Colleges of Education where research culture was not too pronounced, we have also embarked on the identification of critical research skills needs for organising capacity-building workshops. The Campus also improved satisfactorily with the organisation of its chapter for the UNAM 2015 Research and Innovation Day, by involving student researchers to make presentations and present exibitions of innovative products. We are confident that if the present tempo is sustained, there will be no less of a success story in our 2016 research report. CONCLUSION The Katima Mulilo Campus was very satisfied with its performance in the various research activities during the year under review. We know there is still room for improvement and we are committed to sustaining the present gains in the research-related activities if the campus is accorded the necessary financial support to implement its five-year research agenda.
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2.3
KHOMASDAL CAMPUS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT Ideally situated at the heart of two former diverse worlds, the Khomasdal Campus is the beacon of hope for many aspirant teachers and educators. Its vision and aspirations are to contribute to education and to develop a centre of excellence for the education sector to produce educators who add value to the Namibian society, since education is the only weapon we have against social ills. The campus has identified five principle ideals that can help us achieve this: teamwork spirit, open-door policy, transparency and honesty, communication and respect of self, students, the environment and diversity (language, religion, culture, opinion). The campus’s many facilities are used by the UNAM community, for example The Science Foundation, Language Centre, Military School and the Faculty of Law and facilities for the larger community. such as the library, a gym, a hall, swimming pool, a cafeteria and sports fields. The staff on campus is just as diverse in skills and services and despite changes in management and staff, the campus still offers the required services. In its quest for excellence, the campus is, within means, constantly upgrading its facilities such as extending, renovating and making the buildings more accessible to people living with disabilities. It has undergone a space audit to assist in maximizing the use of the space available. The campus has since 2015 also become the site for the Faculty of Education’s vacation school and the English Language Proficiency Programme (ELPP), where some staff members assisted as trainers. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION The campus has a research and publication committee with representatives from various departments, with the aim of engaging staff members and students in more research. Workshops were held to guide lecturers in not only supervising undergraduate students in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and research writing, but also in proposal writing. One of the challenges faced is encouraging or guiding staff members to attend conferences and deliver papers. The following is an indication of the research output of the Campus:
PUBLICATIONS Refereed Journal Articles 1. Haipinge, E. (2015). Social Media in Educational contexts: Implications for critical media literacy and ethical challenges for teachers and educational institutions in Namibia. Submitted for publication in the CPD Journal. 2. Neshila, K. F., Miranda, H., & Zimba, R.F. (2015). Academic Resiliency: Reversing the Cycle of Failure. NERA Journal, (23), 82-103. 94
3. Simasiku, E.H. (2015). High school teachers’ perceptions on reflective practice in teaching at one selected school in Khomas region, Namibia. Submitted for publication in the CPD Journal. 4. Tötemeyer, A.J., Kirchner, E., & Alexander, S. (2015). The reading preferences and behaviour of Namibian children. Mousaion, 33(2). Conference Papers 1. Asheela, E., Enghono, A.M., & Ngcoza, K. (2015, September). An indigenous practice of making a traditional beverage called Oshikundu as a strategy to enhance conceptual understanding. Paper presented at the African Association of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Conference. 2. Kapenda, H. M., & Naweseb, T. (2015, April). Teachers’ understanding of the use of everyday contexts in the teaching of Mathematics at junior secondary schools in Windhoek, Namibia. Paper presented at the Third National Continuing Professional Development Conference for Educators, Windhoek, Namibia. 3. Kirchner, E. (2015, March). Leergedrag en leesvoorkeure van Namibiese kinders: Wie speel sokker en wie het ’n bal? (Reading behaviour and reading preferences of Namibian children: Who plays soccer and who has a ball?). Paper presented at the Fourteenth National Conference of the Professionele Vereniging vir Afrikaans Taalonderrig in Namibië, Windhoek, Namibia. 4. Naweseb, T. (2015, April). Strategies for effective remedial teaching of Mathematics in junior secondary school. Paper presented at the Tenth Annual Mathematics Congress, Swakopmund, Namibia. 5. Möller, J. (2015). Effective reading instruction according to the bottom-up approach. Paper presented at EDUCON in Katima Mulilo. 6. Moller, J., & February, P. (2015, March). Reading challenges, interventions, and limitations: A case study of Grade 3 learners in Namibia. Paper presented at the Comparative and International Education Society, Washington DC. 7. Tjitemisa, C. (2015). The strengths and challenges of the merger: findings from a case study of the former Windhoek College of Education’s merger with the Faculty of Education at the University of Namibia. Paper presented at EDUCON in Katima Mulilo. During 2015 Ms A. Alexander represented Namibia at the International Books for Young people (IBBY) conference in Rwanda. As Chairperson for Literature of the Namibian Children’s Book Forum (NCBF) she reported on its activities. She received a donation from IBBY and the NCBF. 95
EDUCON: 15 lecturers and six students attended this conference at Katima Mulilo, August 2015. Other a. Art Exhibitions Nel, R. (2015). Art Exhibitions at Tulipamwe Art’s Workshop held at Gobabeb, 15-29 August 2015. Nel, R. (2015). Namibia Group Land Art Exhibition. Art work presented at The Installation Upside-down July 2015. World-Berlin, Germany. Nel, R. (2015). Art Exhibition. Sofia International Art Biennial 2015, 6 May-6 June 2015. b. Numerous lecturers have developed and edited materials for the Centre for External Studies. c. Möller, J. (2015). Teacher’s guide for action research in Mathematics Development for Pre-Primary and grade one on Number concept development and Problem-Solving. d. Möller, J. (2015). Mrs. Owaalu’s Junior Primary class at Aloe Tree School. Mathematics for Pre-primary and Grade 1. A Booklet for the Mathematics Institute of Namibia. Research Conference
UNAM Annual Research and Innovation Day
The UNAM Annual Research and Innovation Day was hosted and organized at the Khomasdal Campus on 8 October 2015. More than 200 people attended. Welcome note: Prof. L. Hangula – UNAM Vice Chancellor Keynote speaker: Hon. Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi.
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Acting Director, Dr Frindt, welcomes Vice Chancellor, Prof. L Hangula, to the UNAM Research day 2015 Other presentations A professorial lecture on Mathematics education was held by Professor Kasanda on 6 August. Other highlights were the Vice Chancellor’s and the Registrar’s visit to the campus and a presentation on work ethics and workloads by Prof. E. Maass CONCLUSION The Khomasdal Campus continues to strive for excellence by engaging in various academic activities, in research and in community service. The campus has established itself as part of the community by offering various services and it is constantly improving its facilities to meet the ever-increasing demand for well qualified educators.
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2.4
OGONGO CAMPUS
FANR Dean Prof. F. Mausse, Dean of Science Prof. Gideon, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Education Dr von Kent and Director of Scientific Services in MAWF Ms J. Andowa listening attentively to proceedings of Rice Information Day. DIRECTOR’S REPORT At the Ogongo Campus, we diligently pursue the ideals and mandates of UNAM, teaching research and community engagement. Added to this is the new emphasis on widening our revenue sources through the services we render to the public and private sectors, as well as consorted commercial production from the Ogongo farmlands. While we have been strong on community engagement, we endeavour to improve on research, as this will also enhance the quality of our teaching and community engagement. Some of the identified areas of improvement include the starting of postgraduate programmes for the departments that do not have them and enhancing the existing programmes. To this end teaching staff have been urged to form research teams and develop a culture of preparing research proposals and endeavouring to include training at postgraduate level in their proposals. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION This report documents research activities and outputs from the Ogongo Campus of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the year 2015. It highlights momentous research-related 98
activities and events, accomplishments and milestones during the past twelve months. In so doing, the report charts the strategic research direction of the FANR in general and Ogongo Campus in particular, as epitomised by the main areas of focus by most of the main scientific studies undertaken at the Campus during the year under review. Due to the strategic realignment of the satellite UNAM campuses in the ambit of the FANR, the Ogongo Campus has become the focal area of Crop Science, Agricultural Economics and Integrated Environmental Science. This has had a major influence on the strategic research direction and focus area of the Campus. The Campus also maintains a vibrant section of the Animal Science Department, which is mainly housed at the Neudamm Campus. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FOCUS AREAS The research agenda of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) broadly reflects the diversity of disciplines and specialisations as represented by the various Departments comprised in the Faculty. The strategic position of the Ogongo Campus within the heartland of the densely populated Cuvelai basin predisposes it to focus on crop production, integrated natural resource management and agricultural economics. This is informed by the geographic locality of the Ogongo Campus in an area of the country where crop production forms the mainstay of local livelihoods as well as the relative competitive advantage the area has in terms of climate and weather over central and southern Namibia. To this end, the strategic research direction and focus areas at Ogongo are geared towards adaptive cropping systems within the flood-prone semi-arid north-central Namibian rangelands taking advantage of the erratic climatic conditions characterized by both flood and drought conditions. Prioritisation of thematic research areas by both the FANR and the Ogongo Campus is aligned with the National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (NPRSTI). The focal areas of research at Ogongo encompass the breeding, multiplication and introduction of hardy varieties of traditional and new crops as well as livestock into the annually flooded and drought-prone semi-arid north-central area of Namibia, which hosts the largest percentage of the national population; analyses of agro-economic factors and feasibility of value addition initiatives through local processing of indigenous and introduced horticultural crops and nontimber forest products; establishing the effects of environmental contamination and degradation, tourism and industrialisation as well as environmental policies on human health; agricultural productivity; inland freshwater fisheries; surface and groundwater and sustainable energy. The role of indigenous knowledge in preventing, adapting and mitigating environmental change (climate change, desertification, and deforestation) also form prioritised focal research areas. It is envisaged that results from research will ultimately contribute to sustainable and climatically resilient livelihoods, ecologically sound and resistant natural environments as well as the economic development of the Namibian people.
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Ogongo focuses on researching ‘mixed cropping or intercropping’ of drought-adapted traditional crops with the flood-adapted rice cultivars in order to increase the preparedness of crop production systems for any extreme eventuality (drought or flood) and thus buffer local farmers against complete crop failures during alternating extreme climatic conditions. Pre-trial production of lucerne is also being researched at the Ogongo Campus with the aim of scaling it up to full production of irrigated pastures to supplement the dry season fodder supply for the animal production sector. Ogongo further focuses on drought resistant foxtail millet for possible introduction into the Namibian agronomic production system. In addition, Ogongo is assuming ownership of a trial of fruit orchards in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), as trials and research focus will be on providing a scientific-based appraisal of the performance of fruit trees, thus creating the possibility of production in northern Namibia concomitant with methods of fruit processing for value addition. The cultivation and breeding of indigenous and non- invasive exotic tree and shrub species to be incorporated into the Namibian farming systems is an agroforestry focus research area of Ogongo. Furthermore, Ogongo has for long been engaged in the production of Brown Swiss dairy cattle and their cross-breeding with indigenous Nguni breeds as a means of ensuring improved milk production for local farmers. The hardy Brown Swiss has been selected because of its adaptability to the local rangeland conditions. PUBLICATIONS Refereed Journal Articles 1. Getachew, K., Itanna, F., & Mahari, A. (2015). Evaluation of locally available fertilizer tree/shrub species in Gozamin Woreda, North Central Ethiopia. Research Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Management, 4(3), 164-168. 2. Munialo S., Akundabweni, L.S.M., Mburu J., Namutebi, A., & Joshua, K. (2015). Investigating viability of the premium influenced land agro-usage structure for production of African leafy vegetables in Vihiga and Jinja. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 10, 1659-1674. 3. Niipele, J.N., Kaholongo, I.K., & Njunge, J. (2015). Departure from indigenous land use system and the consequential impacts: a case of Cuvelai Basin, north-central Namibia. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 4(3), 143-153. Refereed Books None
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Chapters in Books 1. Togarepi, C., Thomas, B., & Njunge, J. (2015). Analysis of contribution of small scale irrigated horticulture to food security and poverty reduction in light of possible effects of climate change: A case of Omusati Region, Namibia. In Book abstracts: MRC conference 4-6 November, Windhoek, Namibia. 2. Togarepi, C., Thomas, B., & Samundengu, C. (2015). Challenges and opportunities for agro processing industry development in north central Namibia: A case of Omusati region tomato value chain. In NCRST SYMPOSIUM, Book of abstracts. Windhoek, 2325 September. Conference Papers 1. Fisseha Itanna, F. (2015, June). Assessing effects of metal toxicities on health from mine wastes in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region and some plantbased remediation measures for contaminated soils. Paper presented at the Environment and Health Symposium. 2. Ndeinoma, A. & Wiersum, K.F. (2015, September). Diversity of governance arrangements for indigenous natural products in communal areas of Namibia. Paper presented at the World Forestry Congress, Durban. 3. Togarepi, C., Mupurua, K., & Bello, H.M. (2015, October). Analysis of income contribution of indigenous non-timber forest products to livelihoods of rural communities in Northern Namibia. The relevance of indigenous knowledge to African Socioeconomic Development in the 21st Century. Paper presented at the African Association for the Study of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Book of Proceedings, Inaugural conference, Windhoek. Other Publications Togarepi C., Thomas B., Hangula M., Samundengu, C., & Kambatuku, J. (2015). Assessment to Determine the Feasibility of Establishing a Tomato Processing Plant at Epalela. A Consultancy for Omusati Regional Council. Patents None Innovation Outputs None 101
Funded research projects 1. Flood- and Drought-Adaptive Cropping Systems to Conserve Water Environments in Semi-arid Regions, Project Duration: February 2012 - February 2017. 2. Foxtail Trials Project Total Value of Funded Research Projects N$5 350 000.00 Total number of publications in internationally accredited journals Two.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES At the Ogongo Campus we strive to uphold the three mandates of UNAM, teaching research and community engagement so as to positively and meaningfully contribute to local and national socio-economic improvement of the communities and the nation at large. It is in this spirit that we have played a key and instrumental role in the assessment of the feasibility of a tomato processing plant to not only contribute to value addition to the horticultural products at Epalela, create jobs and induce secondary industries in the region, but also to ensure the realisation of the Omusati regions chosen strategic development under the ‘one region one project’ initiative. The thoroughness of this study gave impetus to the construction of the tomato paste processing plant currently underway at Epalela, which will significantly lower national dependency on food imports from South Africa.
Another significant milestone was the hosting of the annual Rice Information Field Day on a successful female rice farmer’s field at Oshiteyatemo village. The harvesting of rice at Meme Rauna Kleophas field despite the prevailing drought conditions did not only demonstrate the success of the research and extension outreach of the project to its intended eventual beneficiaries, the local farmers, but also highlighted the capacity of a mixed cropping system to offer a buffer against total crop failures during extreme climatic conditions.
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Harvesting of rice in seasonally inundated wetland (Ondombe) despite prevalent drought conditions Local farmer raising a question and seeking information on rice cultivation techniques
The tomato processing plant at Epalela under construction
CONCLUSION Only a small group of academic, mostly senior experienced researchers continues to contribute to the research outputs at Ogongo on an annual basis. This indicates that skills transfer is greatly 103
lacking and this needs to be seriously addressed. The academic departments at Ogongo were the only two departments in the Faculty to submit a postgraduate programme with supporting letters and although this programme is far from being ready, it is hoped that the launching thereof will significantly improve research and research outputs from the Campus.
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2.5
RUNDU CAMPUS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT In taking stock of what the UNAM Rundu campus has achieved in terms of research during the year under review, it is imperative to mention that notable achievements were registered in terms of academic research outputs. The campus achievements with regard to the specific UNAM strategic objective that relates to research output were commendable because they were complemented by the Five-Year Research Agenda (2014- 2018). Within this guiding document, the Campus initiated several research projects of which some were implemented during the year under review. While the effective implementation of the Campus Research Agenda required capacity building, training initiatives in research organized during the year under review yielded tangible results. More staff members undertook research and presented their papers at the University of Namibia Conferences hosted by the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Economic and Management Science respectively, as well at an international conference in South Africa. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION In line with the UNAM five-year strategic plan (2010-2015), the campus defined its mandate and research strategic direction. The focus during the year under review was the generation of relevant knowledge and skills through research to inform teaching and learning and address national development challenges. Underpinning this research strategic direction was the implementation of the planned research projects, as outlined in the Campus Research Agenda (2014 - 2018) in relation to the following broad research focus areas: 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6
Enhancing the quality of curriculum instructions and assessment in education; Enhancing the teaching and learning of science at lower primary phases; Developing literacy and numeracy strategies at primary phases; Providing leadership skills and knowledge on school leadership and management; Improving pedagogical skills through School-Based Studies (SBS); and Enhancing relationship and collaboration between the campus and industry in entrepreneurship and commerce-related areas.
PUBLICATIONS Refereed Journal Articles 1.
Haimbodi, F.N., Kasanda, H.M., & Kapenda, H.M. (2015). The effects of cooperative learning on the performance of Grade 11 Mathematics learners in the Oshana education region, Namibia. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1&2), 243252. 105
2.
Kangumu, B., & Likando, G. (2015). Mission Education in the Eastern Caprivi Strip during the Colonial Times, ca. 1920 - ca. 1964. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1& 2), 205-215.
3.
Kanyimba. E.N., Katewa, E.N.M., & Claasen P. (2015). The Contribution of Education for Sustainable Development to Transformational Leadership among Selected Namibian School Principals. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 186-196.
4.
Kavei, G., Msiska, P., & Shinkeva, A. (2015). Managing Change and Opportunities in the Economic Boom: Assessing the Readiness of African Markets to cash in on the troubles of Europe and the West: A Perspective from Namibia. Contemporary Issues in Business, Finance and Management.
Refereed Chapters in Books Likando, G. (2015). Heritage Education in the School Curriculum: A Critical Reflection. In J. Silvester (Ed). Re-Viewing Resistance in Namibian History. Windhoek: University of Namibia Press. Conference Papers/Proceedings
1.
Ausiku, C., Likando, G. & Mberemba, F. (2015, August). A Critical Reflection on Student Teachers’ Challenges during Practicum Placements in Rural Primary Schools in the Kavango Regions of Namibia. Paper presented at the UNAM Annual Education Conference (EDUCON 2015), Katima Mulilo Campus.
2.
Ilukena, A., & Utete, C. (2015, August). The relevance of integrating Ethno-Science (Indegineous Knowledge) into upper primary National Science and Health Education School Curriculum in the Zambezi Region. Paper presented at the UNAM Annual Education Conference (EDUCON 2015), Katima Mulilo Campus.
3.
Kavei, G. (2015, September). The Entrepreneurial State of Africa. Paper presented at the 3rd LAMIPISA Conference, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.
4.
Sirinji, R., Ilukena, A., & Utete, C. (2015, August). Tracer study for the Maths and Science graduate teachers from UNAM, Rundu Campus. Paper presented at the UNAM Annual Education Conference (EDUCON 2015), Katima Mulilo Campus.
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Number of publications in internationally accredited journals In order to improve the quality of the research output, staff members were encouraged to publish in internationally accredited journals. It is therefore worth noting that three of the four articles published, appeared in internationally accredited journals. This shows a significant improvement compared to previous years. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES The year under review witnessed the end of the UNAM Strategic Plan (2010-2015). Furthermore, the intensification of the capacity building training on research for academic staff registered significant progress in terms of research at the Rundu Campus. Significant to mention is the enthusiasm that academic staff members demonstrated in carrying out research relevant to addressing current challenges in Namibian society and beyond.
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2.6
SAM NUJOMA CAMPUS
APVC/DIRECTOR’S REPORT The Sam Nujoma Campus deservedly enjoys an enviable reputation for academic excellence. Its Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC), founded in 2004, is one of the University of Namibia’s pride academic centres. The mission of SNC through its research arm SANUMARC is to undertake research and development activities that benefit UNAM by creating new data products, discovering new ways to use existing marine and coastal resources data, and suggesting improvements to existing data products and processes. 2015 has been an exciting year as our research and development activities continue to help SANUMRAC meet its challenges in providing information about Namibia’s marine and coastal resources and its people. Over the coming year, we are looking forward to the further expansion of the research programme, continuing improvements to our existing research activities and expanding research efforts to better response to the needs of the nation in addressing issues relating to poverty eradication and solving community problems. SANUMARC remains committed to research as mandated by the entire Sam Nujoma Campus and the University of Namibia. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who contributed generously of their time and intellect to make this report a reality. I thank the SANUMARC Board members for their active participation in the process over a lengthy gestation period. I also thank our partner marine and coastal resources science networks and consortia for their important contributions. I extend my congratulations and thanks to all of our researchers, collaborators, funders, donors, and partners who contributed to making 2015 a year in which research at SANUMARC flourished. Your expertise, integrity, dedication, rigour and generosity make the University of Namibia, and in particular SANUMRC, the rich and distinctive intellectual Centre of Excellence that it is. As one might expect, with change in leadership, there will always be continuities, discontinuities and adjustments. My promise is that I will use my leadership to further our shared objective of strengthening our university’s position as a distinct and distinctive institution providing outstanding education to young people of our country and beyond, generating and disseminating knowledge of high quality to advance human understanding and wisdom; knowledge that helps us build and sustain a better society and a better world.
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RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION Sam Nujoma Campus consists of the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (SANUMARC) and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (DFAS). As a team, SANUMARC and DFAS contribute to knowledge creation and problem-solving through research and community engagement initiatives. SANUMARC’s existing research activities were revisited to accommodate the research activities of DFAS, which are enshrined in the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Agenda. The amalgamated research activities were synthesized to develop the third Five-Year Development Plan for SANUMARC, which gives a holistic approach to research in marine and coastal environments and sets the research strategic direction for the five-year period. The third five-year development plan comprises all research programmes and activities undertaken at the Campus, including community development activities. The five-year development plan will serve as a road map to advance research, innovation and community activities that are well focused and address the country's needs, as contained in the National Development Plans and Vision 2030. To this end, the research strategic direction and focus areas at the Sam Nujoma Campus are geared towards marine, coastal and arid land ecosystems, climate change, bioprospecting for novel natural products from the Benguela marine biota, and from desert and semi-desert systems. The ultimate goal is to develop the unique bio-resources of these ecosystems for human sustainable development, and to promote the application of science and technology for selected sites in Africa's deserts to bloom with useful biota, using the Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI) principles and related approaches. The Sam Nujoma Campus therefore strives to remain visible through research, innovation and development, and to become a Campus of Choice in science and technology research in marine and coastal resources, in order to contribute to global efforts to promote food security and eradicate poverty. The major research focus areas are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Aquaculture Research Biogeochemistry Research Fish and Fisheries Algal Research Mushroom Research Coastal and Desert Agriculture Renewable Energy Water Resources Community Outreach Programme 109
Aquaculture The Campus has embarked on research programmes in marine science disciplines, including the biology, ecology and nutrition of both marine and freshwater animals and plants and the biogeochemistry dynamics of their environment. Seaweed This programme has assessed the seaweed resources in the area for sustainable harvesting, and future research will focus on developing culture techniques for economically important species and promoting the better utilization of seaweed and seaweed products. Mushroom The University has been spearheading the research and development of mushroom culture in Namibia and along the Namibian coast in particular. The cool, humid environment at the coast provides more favourable conditions for the growth of some species. Coastal agriculture and plant biodiversity The desert climate of the Namibian coast would seem to make it an unpromising location for agricultural activities, but there are areas of opportunity. Renewable energy sources The Campus has been involved in the development of inexpensive biogas technology at the Henties Bay Clay House Project, and will continue to examine the feasibility of harnessing new sources of renewable energy at the coast. Water resources The Centre is fortunate to be located over one of the coastal region’s major freshwater aquifers, but generally fresh water is a scarce resource. In contrast, the Atlantic Ocean provides an inexhaustible supply of seawater. The coastal environment The Namibian coast provides a unique and varied environment for research. Under this programme, meteorological data is being collected for the Henties Bay area from a weather station that has been erected at the Centre, for long-term evaluation of climate change.
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Community outreach, in support of various community development and training activities in Henties Bay and beyond, was added as an eighth area. PUBLICATIONS Refereed journal articles 1. Endjambi, T., Iitembu, J.A., & Nashima, F.P. (2015). Trophic relationships of three deep-sea crustacean species (Aristeus varidens, Plesionika martia and Funchalia woodwardi) off the coast of Namibia. International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 7, 3-13. 2. Iitembu, J.A. (2015). An attempt at modelling the diets of two sympatric species of hake (Merluccius capensis and Merluccius paradoxus) off the coast of Namibia: isotope mixing model approach. International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 7, 14-30. 3. Iitembu, J.A., & Richoux, N.B. (2015). Trophic relationships of hake (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) and sharks (Centrophorus squamosus, Deania calcea and D. profundorum) in the Northern (Namibia) Benguela Current region. African Zoology, 4, 273-279. 4. Kihampa, C., Shemdoe, R.S., & Hanghome, M. 2015. Trace Metal Pollution in Surface Water and Sediment of a Mountain River in an East African Country. Elixir Pollution 88, 36160-36165. 5. Yemane, D., Mafwila, S.K., Kathena, J., Nsiangango, S., & Kirkman, S. (2015). Spatiotemporal trends in diversity of demersal fish species in the Benguela current large marine ecosystem region. Fisheries Oceanography, 24 (Suppl.1), 102 – 122. Refereed Books None Chapters in Books 1. Okeyo, D.O., Kandjengo, L., & Kashea, MM. (2014). The giant African Bullfrog (Anura, Pyxicephalidae: Pyxicephalus adspersus Tschudi, 1839). Consumption practices unveil multidisciplinary research questions: The Namibian case study. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Shulz, M., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda,
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C.D. (Eds.). Indigenous knowledge of Namibia (pp. 205 -218). Windhoek: University of Namibia Press. 2. Wilhelm, MR., Kirchner, C.H., Roux. J-P., Jarre, A., Iitembu, J.A., Kathena, J.N, & Kainge, P. (2015). Biology and fisheries of the shallow-water hake (Merluccius capensis) and the deep-water hake (M. paradoxus) in Namibia. In Arancibia, H. (Ed.). Hakes: Biology and Exploitation (pp. 70-100). Wiley Blackwell. Conference Presentations 1. Formenti, P., Piketh, S., Namwoonde, A., Broccardo, S., Burger, R., Cazaunau, M., Desboeufs, K., Feron, A., Maenhaut,W., Omoregie, E., Siour, G., & Walton, N. (2015). Low-level transport of biomass burning aerosols from Southern Africa towards the South East Atlantic Ocean. Paper presented at? 2. Iitembu, J.A. On modelling the diet of two hake species off Namibia. (2015, June). Paper presented at the Annual Research Meeting of the Ministry of Fisheries, 3. Iitembu, J.A. (2015, August). Aquaculture potentials of three marine species off Namibia: Biological research directions and economic feasibilities. Paper presented at the Namibia Aquaculture Annual research meeting, Swakopmund. 4. Knott, M., Kapewangolo, P., Louw, S., Brand, J., Kandjengo, L., & Ishola, A. (2015, September). The isolation, structural determination and bioactivity of 1E,3R,4S,5E,7Z-1bromo 3,4,8-trichloro-7-(dichloromethyl)-3-methylocta-1,5,7-triene from a Namibian species. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Windhoek. 5. Mafwila, S.K. (2015, September). Spatial distribution of commercial bottom-trawl effort for hake-directed fishery in Namibian waters between 2000 and 2006. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Windhoek. 6. Mafwila, S.K. (2015, November). The community structure, diversity indices, spatial and density distribution of demersal fish species from bottom-trawls off Namibia and the west coast of South Africa during the 2007 hake biomass surveys. Paper presented at the Faculty of Science 3rd Annual Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek. 7. Omoregie, E., Vellemu, E.C., Nashima, F.P., Mudumbi, S.B, Liswaniso, G., & Shimooshili, K. (2015, September). Heavy metal pollution: A concern along the Namibian Coastal Waters. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST),Windhoek.
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8. Omoregie, E. (2015, June). Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem – Metal Recycling and Pollution. Paper presented at the Annual Research Meeting of NatMIRC, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Swakopmund.
Other Publications Audio-Visuals Mafwila, S.K. (Producer/Director). (2015). Fish Drying Techniques at Lake Liambezi, Zambezi Region, Namibia [Motion Picture]. Namibia: OBLAC Investments. Poster Presentations Posters presented by RGNO participants at the NatMIRC 2015 Annual Research Meeting, 9 – 11 June 2015, Swakopmund, Namibia 1. Cofrancesco, J. Impact on the Trace Metal Contents of laterally re-deposited Sediments in the Benguela Upwelling System. 2. De Freitas, F.S. What controls Reactivity of sedimentary organic matter across different depositional Settings?
3. Follonier, S. Isolation of Bioplastic-producing microbes from the Benguela upwelling system. 4. Loureiro, C., & Littmann, S. Microbiological diversity, primary production and nitrogen fixation in the Benguela up welling ecosystem. 5. Mänd, K. Phosphatised microstructures in ancient and modern Phosphorites. 6. Shiindi, S.J. Modular Approach for the enrichment of Sulfate-reducing microorganisms from organic-rich sediments. 7. Siedenberg, K. The Application of Stable Isotopes to reveal the Sedimentary Sulfur Cycle. 8. Ueitele, I, & Lagostina, L. The Ocean as a Source of Antibiotics: Molecular and Morphological Screening for Fungi. 9. Uusiku, E., & Namupala, H. Heavy Metals (HM) & Paralytic Shellfish toxins (PST) along the Namibian Coast, quality assurance for a Baseline Study. 113
Innovation output None
Funded research projects NCRST funded projects Human health risk assessment of emerging phycotoxins affecting the Namibian mariculture industry (N$ 370 000 over 2 years). Monitoring of ocean acidification along the Namibian continental shelve and its impact on Namibian Oyster Culture Industry (N$ 400 000 over two years). RPC funded projects Characterisation of the changes in biochemical compositions of hake (M. capensis and M. paradoxus) and horse mackerel (T. capensis) with Growth and Reproduction (N$ 147 400 over two years). Total value of funded project N$ 917 400 Number of publications in international accredited journals Five papers.
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2.7
SOUTHERN CAMPUS
RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION PhD. Studies Department
Title of research
1.
Management Science
2.
General Nursing Science
3.
Public Health
An investigation of consumer attitudes affecting the adoption of mobile marketing in the Namibian retail industry Nurse task shifting approach for mental health services in Namibia Primary Health Care services Assessment of effects of households’ food and security among HIV positive patients on ARV treatment in Oshana Region
Name of academic staff member Mr. Bernardus. F. Maseke
Commencement time February 2013
Projected completion time 2016
Mr. Daniel O. Ashipala
February 2015
2019
Mrs. Olivia Tuhadeleni
Feb 2016
2019
Name of academic staff member Mr. Daniel Opotamutale Ashipala
Commencement time
Projected completion time June 2016 Published
Mr. Daniel O. Ashipala
April 2016
Other research related activities (Clinical and Nursing education) Department
Title of research
1.
General Nursing Science
Mental health policy implementation as an integral part of Primary Health Care Services in Oshana region has been published online in Vol 6, No 11 of Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. http://www.sciedupress.com/j ournal/index.php/jnep/issue/v iew/466 Published on 27. 06.2016 doi: 10.5430/jnep.v6n11p53 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep .v6n11p53
2.
General Nursing Science
Communication skills of Nurses caring for patients diagnosed with tuberculosis 115
March 2016
July 2016 Accepted for
3.
General Nursing Science
4.
Public Health
5.
General Nursing Science
6.
General Nursing Science
7.
General Nursing Science
8.
General Nursing Science
9.
General Nursing Science
at public health facilities in the Khomas Region of Namibia – European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research A study on the knowledge, beliefs and practices of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Katutura, Khomas Region, Windhoek. – International Journal of advanced nursing studies The perceptions of HIV Positive patients (ART patients) on ART and Treatment Supporters with regard to their role towards ART adherence, at ART clinics in the Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, Namibia – European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research An exploration of perceptions regarding the feasibility of implementation of kangaroo mother care in the maternity ward of Tsumeb district hospital, Namibia Namibia – Journal of Nursing Education and publication (JNEP) Experiences of second year nursing students on placement in a rural health /Kharas Region, Namibia Feedback in clinical settings: Perceptions of nursing students at a small district hospital in the southern part of Namibia Group-based assessment approach in nursing education: student perspective Epidemiology of perineal trauma among women during vaginal delivery in Keetmanshoop district 116
publication
Mr. Daniel O. Ashipala
May 2016
August 2016 In review process
Mrs. Olivia Tuhadeleni
May 2016
August 2016 In review process
Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma
April 2016
August 2016 In review process
June 2016
March 2017 Proposal Approved
Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma
November 2015
September 2016 Proposal Approved
Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma
August 2016
December 2016
Mrs. Elizabeth Kangoya
May 2016
December 2016
Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma
10.
General Nursing Science
11.
General Nursing Science
12.
General Nursing Science
13.
General Nursing Science
14.
General Nursing Science
15.
Midwifery Nursing Science
16.
Management Science Management Science
17.
18.
Management Science
19.
Management Science
20.
ECD/LP (Project of UNESCO/CFIT in collaboration with UNAM, MoEAC & MoHETI)
Hospital Night duty as a clinical placement strategy: Reflection of second-year nursing students in an urban district hospital, Namibia Assessment of quality of patient care records in Keetmanshoop district Hospital Experiences of nursing students on two weeks’ block teaching system at the University of Namibia: Student perspective. Assessment of Health Extension Workers Programme implementation in Keetmanshoop, //Kharas Region Factors motivating students to register for Nursing degree Programme at the University of Namibia. Assessment of factors associated with pre-term birth among pregnancy women in Keetmanshoop district. Student absenteeism at the Southern campus Exploring ITC innovation divers and killers amongst rural youth in Namibia Sustainability through open innovation for local authorities in Namibia. Constraints of women entrepreneurs in the Kharas region Capacity Development for quality Pre- and Lower Primary Teacher Education in Namibia
PUBLICATIONS 117
Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma
July 2016
April 2017
Mrs. Elizabeth Kangoya
March 2017
July 2017
Mr. Daniel O. Ashipala
March 2017
June 2017
Mrs. Fillipine Nakakuwa
March 2017
August 2017
Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma
March 2017
July 2017
Mrs. Helena Mhlope
February 2016
December 2018
Mr. B. F. Maseke Mr. B. F. Maseke
May 2016
Sept 2016
Sept 2015
Review
Mr. B. F. Maseke
Feb 2016
Mr. B. F. Maseke
Oct 2015
Peer Review process Peer Review process
Participating from USC: Mr F Sinalumbu, Ms CA Mostert, Ms P Pohamba
Feb 2014
Dec 2015
Conference Proceedings and Symposium 1. Maseke, B.F. (2015, September). Exploring ITC innovation divers and killers amongst rural youth in Namibia. Paper presented at the National research symposium, Windhoek. 2. Denk. S.W. (2015, September). Why should commercial organizations incorporate indigenous knowledge into the commercialization of local products? Paper presented at the National research symposium, 23-25 September, Windhoek.
Community Engagement Community development: Research conducted in conjunction with Dr Barbara Rugen on the attitudes and behaviour towards work in the //Kharas region. Some staff members were involved in the starting of a soup kitchen to provide soup to the cancer ward at the local hospital and to the old-age home on 11 April 2015; 13 June 2015; and 12 September 2015. Establishment of the Southern Campus open innovation society (20 February 2015). Other members are involved in the support group to promote breastfeeding practices at the Ileni settlement, //Kharas Region. This is ongoing, as well as the Clinical education forum. Patents None Innovation outputs None Funded research projects One for 2015 General Nursing Science Feedback in clinical settings: Perceptions of nursing students at a small district hospital in the southern part of Namibia. Presented by Mrs. Vistolina Nuuyoma November 2015 and September 2016. Proposal Approved Total value of funded research projects N 1450
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2.8
LANGUAGE CENTRE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT Goals and Mandate The mandate of the Language Centre is to serve as the centre for language learning, teaching and research. The key focus is the upgrading of competence in the use of English, offering a variety of foreign and Namibian languages and also providing translation and consultancy services by offering tailor-made courses to the wider public and business community in Windhoek, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Rundu and Katima Mulilo. As a national centre of language excellence, the Language Centre endeavours to serve students, staff of the university, and the broader community. “If communication is the life blood of human relationships and knowledge in every field of human thinking, reasoning and interaction…” as said by Littlewood, then the Language Centre can only be relevant if it engages in research that seeks to explore best practices in language teaching and learning. The Language Centre Research Agenda The research output of the Centre for the year under review has shown great improvement. The research strategic direction and focus areas as outlined in the Centre draft Research Agenda are presented below. Language Teaching and Learning Research under this theme will focus on issues pertaining to language testing, vocabulary acquisition, language for specific purposes, writing skills development, discourse and genre analysis, material development, evaluation, language teaching methods in large classes and those tailored to the need of Namibian students, etc. Language Planning Research will investigate language policy issues, the effect of English on Namibian languages, multilingualism, code switching, language development (e.g. dictionaries for minority languages) and maintenance, including indigenous languages, etc. Language and Technology This research will investigate the impact of language on organisational absorptive capacity enhancement, the role of language on social capital creation, language and knowledge networks, stories and knowledge transfer, the link between knowledge and language, etc. 119
Language Centre Core Capabilities
Teaching the four language skills Teaching language-related special courses Text and discourse analysis Vocabulary development Code switching Language curriculum development
Other Language Centre Capabilities
Organisational learning and development Technology transfer and innovation Workplace learning Ability to provide training and consultancy in our areas of specialisation
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS Refereed Books Senkoro, F. (2015). Let the Story and the Lies Come: A Critical Anthology of Folktales from Zanzibar. Dakar: CODESRIA. Other Publications Mukoroli, J. (2015). Tura boy. Windhoek: John Meinert Publisher. Study Guides/Books 1.
Senkoro, F. (2015). Tujue Kiswahili: Kitabu cha Kwanza (Let Us Know Kiswahili: Book One).
2.
Senkoro, F. (2015). Tujue Kiswahili: Kitabu cha Pili (Let Us Know Kiswahili: Book Two).
Articles in journals 1.
Mukoroli, J.N. (2015). A linguistic description and analysis of interlanguage errors: The written interlanguage of ESL class students of the University of Namibia. Journal of Teaching and Education, 4(2), 209-222.
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2.
Simataa, A., & Nyathi, S. F. (2015). The essence of English Literature in communicative based ESL classrooms: Reflections on Namibia’s state of affairs. Namibia CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1), 23-38.
3.
Simasiku, L., Kasanda, C., & Smit, T. (2015). Barriers to Code Switching in English Second Language medium classrooms. International Journal of English Literature and Culture, 3(1), 7-13.
4.
Simasiku, L., Kasanda, C., & Smit, T. (2015). Teaching subject matter through English as the medium of instruction in the Namibian classrooms. European Scientific Journal, 315- 324.
5.
Simasiku, L. Kasanda, C., & Smit, T. (2015). Can code switching enhnace learners' academic achievement? English language teaching, 8(2), 70 -77.
6.
Olivier, C.E., & Simasiku, L. (2015). Exploring Reading and Writing Relationships in Grade Five. Journal of English Language and Literature, 3(2), 246 - 252.
7.
Simasiku, L., Kasanda, C.D., & Smit, T. (2015). Can Code Switching Enhance the Learning of the Target Language? Journal of Modern Education Review, 5(6), 564 575.
Conference Papers 1.
Hamakali, H.P.S., & Lumbu, S.D. (2015, August). Assessing students in English second language courses: The role of alternative assessment tools in language instruction. Paper presented at the Education Conference (EDUCON 2015), University of Namibia.
2.
Iipinge, S.M., & Julius, L. H. (2015, October). The Provision of Quality Education through Universal Primary Education: A case Study of a Rural Primary School in Namibia. presented at the SACHES Annual Conference, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
3.
Izaks, J. (2015, July). Taking a closer look at vocabulary and academic literacy levels of undergraduate students. Paper presented at the 3rd Internal Conference in Academic and Professional Communication: Communicating for change, advancement and glocalisation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
4.
Izaks, J., & Beyer, H. (2015, July). The treatment of academic action verbs in English advanced learner’s dictionaries. Paper presented at the 20th Annual International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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5.
6.
Julius, L.H. (2015, April). The effect of relentless testing and monitoring on teaching writing: an example from two South African schools. Paper presented at the 3rd Continuous Professional Development Conference, Windhoek. Namundjebo, E. (2015, July). Exploring the University of Namibia [UNAM] Second Year students’ expectations and experiences for the ULEA course: A case study investigation at the HP Campus Language Centre. Paper presented at the 3rd Internal Conference in Academic and Professional Communication: Communicating for change, advancement and localisation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
7.
Rickerts, (2015, July). Reading comprehension and vocabulary of first year students at the Polytechnic of Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Internal Conference in Academic and Professional Communication: Communicating for change, advancement and localisation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
8.
Shilongo, S. (2015, July). Motivating students to speak: developing resilience in through academic literacy at the University of Namibia. Paper presented at the 3rd Internal Conference in Academic and Professional Communication: Communicating for change, advancement and localisation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
9.
Simasiku, L., Kasanda, C. D., & Smit, T. (2015, March). Does medium of instruction really matter in classrooms that use a second language as a medium of instruction? Paper presented at the 4th Cyprus International Conference on Educational Research, American University, Kyrenia, North Cyprus.
10. Simasiku, L., Kasanda, C.D., & Smit, T. (2015, July). The impact of Code Switching on learners’ participation during classroom practice. Paper presented at the 3rd Internal Conference in Academic and Professional Communication: Communicating for change, advancement and localisation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. 11. Teofilus, A., & Julius, L. (2015, July). Exploring the University of Namibia [UNAM] Second Year students’ expectations and experiences for the ULEA course: A case study investigation at the HP Campus Language Centre. Paper presented at the 3rd Internal Conference in Academic and Professional Communication: Communicating for change, advancement and localisation, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
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2.9
MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTRE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT The MRC’s mandate is to conduct applied research directed at addressing social and challenges in national development priority areas; to coordinate multidisciplinary, collaborative research forming partnerships locally and internationally; to promote research, its outputs as well as raise awareness of its importance as a tool for developmental solutions, value addition and product development; and to carry out teaching and advisory services for the public. The year 2015 was an active year for the MRC where we made increased efforts to reach out to new research partners and disseminate our research findings to the broader community. Researchers at MRC have been actively involved in research activities of a diverse nature which were aligned to positively contribute to the achievements of the UNAM strategic objectives, the main researchrelated strategic objectives being to increase and broaden research output. MRC as a research centre of the University of Namibia continues to strengthen research collaboration with UNAM faculties and stakeholders from public and private sectors as well as partners within the region and beyond. MRC recognizes the expertise within faculties and taps into it by including relevant faculties in research teams constituted for all research programmes. The current National Developmental Plan (NDP4, 2013-2017) and the Harambee Prosperity Plan address issues pertaining to economic development and poverty reduction, and the sectors and enablers on which a vibrant economy can be sustainably based. The MRC strengthened its research efforts in such priority areas and is currently implementing research programmes as outlined in the five-years (2015-2020) research agenda. MRC’s research strategy is to provide relevant and accurate research information in various areas, health, education, biodiversity, climate change, socio-ecological systems, gender, and IKS, for policy decision-making and programme interventions. Many resources are committed to undertaking research projects and to make our work worth the efforts. Therefore, we call upon law makers, decision makers, programme implementers and the entire nation to acquaint themselves with our work so that we use this knowledge to move the nation forward. Knowledge is the fuel we need to realize goals as set in Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES Research Programmes Various projects were implemented in 2015 in collaboration with partners from UNAM faculties within Namibia as well as with international partners within Southern Africa and beyond: 123
1. Socio-Ecological System 2. Community Adaptation to Change in Climate 3. Land Programme 4. Gender Programme 5. Disaster and Risk Management 6. Population Dynamics and Reproductive Health 7. Malaria Elimination Programme 8. Drug Discovery and Development Programme 9. Engineering Programme 10. Indigenous Knowledge Systems Technology (IKST) Food and Beverages Programme Research proposals for funding The MRC team has been proactive in developing research proposals for funding and the following research projects secured funding from various sources in the three divisions: Social Sciences Indigenous knowledge in Reproductive Practices and Health Care: an intergenerational comparative study of Namibian and South African women, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg. Maternal health study (with funding support from IntraHealth). Stakeholders’ Perception of the Namibian Airports Company (with funding support from the Namibian Airports Company). Development of a policy database for the National Planning Commission (with funding support from UNDP). Green Schemes in Namibia. Nationwide GBV study. Teenage pregnancy in Namibia study.
Life Sciences Nature-based tourism (with funding support from NSF-USA). Human Wildlife Conflict (with funding support from WWF). Water Management and Governance in Namibia Rural Communities in collaboration with HSRC and funding support from NCRST and NRF.
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Science, Technology and Innovation Ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal plants used by traditional healers in the Kavango region, Namibia, in collaboration with the University of the Western Cape. Development and optimisation of high throughput screens for drug discovery from natural products funded through the NCRST. Development of a malaria risk assessment tool (MERFAT) in the Zambezi Region (in collaboration with UCSF and funding support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). Targeted Malaria Parasite Elimination in the Zambezi region (in collaboration with UCSF and funding support from the Novartis Foundation) Microflora identification and Characterization of Oshikundu (with funding support from NCRST). Pilot of National Indigenous Knowledge Management System in the Kunene Region (with funding support from NCRST). Development of a toothbrush sanitizer (with funding support from NCRST). Olufuko Festival: Practices and Prospects for Development: (with funding support from the Outapi Town Council). The Benguela Wind power demonstration project funded by the Finnish Foreign Ministry RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS The MRC successfully met and surpassed its research output targets in the categories of Technical/Commissioned reports, Conference Presentations, Books and Book Chapters. In the category of peer-reviewed research articles, the centre had a modest completion rate with 16 publications, falling short of the target set of 31 published peer-reviewed articles. The MRC Scorecard is shown in Figure 1 while the lists below catalogue the recorded MRC research outputs for 2015.
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Figure 1. MRC Scorecard for 2015
PUBLICATIONS Peer-reviewed articles 1. Ashekele, H.M. (2015). Alternative housing delivery methods and technologies in Namibia. Asian Academic Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(6), 136. 2. Cheikhyoussef, A., Summers, R.W., & Kahaka, G. (2015). Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Phytochemical Compounds in Namibian Myrothamnus flabellifolius. International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 5, 71-83. 3. Dushimemaria, F., & Mumbengegwi, D. R. (2015). Palliative treatment of cancer in resource poor settings: Traditional medicine perspective. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, 7(5), 73-79. 4. Dushimemaria, F., & Mumbengegwi, D. R. (2015). Proposition of a low-cost field assay to determine antiproliferative properties of indigenous plants using Dugesia dorotocephala (brown planaria). Scientific Research and Essays, 10(4), 144-149. 5. Eide, A.H., Mannan, H., Khogali, M., Van Rooy, G., Swartz, L., Munthali, A., Hem, K., MacLachlan,M., & Dyrstad, K. (2015). Perceived Barriers for Accessing Health Services among Individuals with Disability in Four African Countries. PLoS ONE, 10(5) 6. Indongo, N. (2015). The Effect of Urbanisation on Housing Conditions in Namibia. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 2(7), 1-7. 126
7. Indongo, N., & Mufune, P. (2015). ICT Barriers for People with Disability in Namibia: Evidence from the 2011 Namibia Population and Housing Census. Review of Disability Studies, 11(1),. Indongo, N. & Pazvakawambwa, L. (2015). Perceptions of women on marriage in Namibia. Psychology, 6, 1413-1420. 8. Kimaro, M., Lendelvo, S. Nakanyala, J. (2015). Determinants of tourists’ satisfaction in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Journal of studies in humanities and social sciences, 4(1&2), 116. 9. Maroyi, A., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015). A comparative study of medicinal plants used in rural areas of Namibia and Zimbabwe. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 14(3), 401-406. 10. Morais, D.B., Birendra K.C, Mao, Y., & Mosimane, A. (2015). Wildlife conservation through tourism microentrepreneurship among Namibian communities. Tourism Review International, 19, 43-61. 11. Mosimane, A.W., & Silva, J.A. (2015). Local Governance Institutions, CBNRM, and Benefit-sharing Systems in Namibian Conservancies. Journal of Sustainable Development,. 8(2). 12. Mosimane, A.W. & Silva, J.A. (2015). Boundary-making in conservancies: the Namibian experience. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 13. The effect of urbanization on housing conditions in Namibia. (2015). International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 2(7), 1-7. 14. Van Rooy, G., Mufune, P., & Amadhila, E. (2015). Experiences and perceptions of barriers of health services for elderly in rural Namibia: A qualitative study. Sage Open, 1-10. 15. Zhen, J., Guo, Y., Villani, T., Carr, S., Brendler, T., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Kong, A.N.T., Simon, J., & Wu, Q. (2015). Phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of the African medicinal plant Ximenia caffra. Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry, Article ID 948262. doi:10.1155/2015/948262 Books Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K, Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. (2015), Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia, Windhoek, UNAM Press.
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Book Chapters 1. Du Preez, C.I., Nafuka, S.N., Mumbengegwi, D.R., & Bock, R. (2015). Indigenous Knowledge of medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria in Namibia. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 2. Dushimemaria F., Mumbengegwi, D.R., & Bock, R. (2015). Indigenous Knowledge of medicinal plants used for treatment of cancer. In Chinsembu K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 3. Embashu, W., Cheikhyoussef, A., & Kahaka, G. (2015). Oshikundu: An indigenous fermented beverage. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 4. Heita, L., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015). Traditionally fermented milk products. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz, M.K., Kazembe, L. & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 5. Lendelvo, S.M., Angula, M.N., & Mfune, J.K.E. (2015). Indigenous knowledge used in the management of human–wildlife conflict along the borders of the Etosha National Park, Namibia. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K., Kazembe L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 6. Likuwa, K. (2015) Colonialism and the development of contract labor system in Kavango. In Silvester. J., (Ed.). Re-viewing Colonial Resistance in Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 7. Mumbengegwi D.R., Du Preez C.I., Dushimemaria F., Auala J.R., & Nafuka, S.N. (2015). Indigenous Knowledge of medicinal plants as antimicrobial treatments. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 8. Mushabati, L.F., Kahaka, G., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015). Namibian leafy vegetables: From traditional to scientific knowledge, current status and applications. In Chinsembu, K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz, M.K., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. 9. Siyambango, N., Kanyimba, A.T., & Mufune, P. (2015). Indigenous knowledge and climate change in rural Namibia: A gendered approach. In Chinsembu, K.C., 128
Cheikhyoussef, A., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Schultz M.K., Kazembe, L., & Kasanda, C. Scientific Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: UNAM Press. Technical Reports 1. Cheikhyoussef, A. 2015. Ethnobotanical, Phytochemicals, Antimicrobial and Antioxidants Activities of Indigenous Namibian Fruits. A research report submitted to the Research and Publication OfficeUniversity of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 2. Indongo, N., & Mutorwa, K. Indigenous knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health and its influence on Gender Based Violence. MRC, UNAM. 3. Likuwa, K. (2015). Voices of Youth on CLR&R in Hardap, Ohangwena, Kavango East and Zambezi regions of Namibia. 4. Likuwa, K., Lendelvo, S. (2015). Employment creation by Land Reform Programme in Commercial Area. MRC & MLR. 5. Likuwa, K. (2015). GBV through Inheritance and Property grabbing in Kavango East, Erongo and Kunene regions of Namibia. MRC, UNAM. 6. Mogotsi, I. (2015). Gender Based Violence: Systems Response vs. Personal Agency. MRC, UNAM. 7. Mosimane, A., Lendelvo, S., Siyambango, N. & Enkono, N. (2015). Comparative analysis of the common pool resources management regulations in Namibia. Funded by MRC. 8. Mumbengegwi, D., Winschiers-Theophilus, H., Cheikhyoussef, A., Kapuire, G.K., Shirungu, M., Stanley, C., Du Preez, I., Embashu,W., Dushimemaria, F., Chamunorwa, M., Iikasha, A., Maasz, D., & Tjituka, P. 2015. A technology-based ethnobotanical data collection pilot study in Kunene Region; a Field Trip Report. MRC, University of Namibia & Namibia University of Technology (NUST). Windhoek, Namibia. 9. MuAshekele, H. (2015). Olufuko Festivals: Practices and Prospects for Development. 10. Siyambango, N. (2015). Development of Policy Database of Namibian Government Policies. 11. Van Rooy, G. (2015). Stakeholders Perception of the NAC. 12. Van Rooy, G. (2015). Health, Safety and Security sectors responses to GBV. MRC, UNAM. 129
Conference/ Workshop Presentations 1. Bussel, R.M., Du Preez, C.I., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, November). An evaluation of the antiplasmodial properties of medicinal plant species, Combretum collinum and Moringa ovalifolia. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 2. Cheikhyoussef, A., Angula, M.A., & Shiningeni, D.W. (2015, November). Possible Contributions of Food Biotechnology to Food Industry and Consumers in Namibia. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 3. Cheikhyoussef, A., Raidron, C., Mukakalisa, C., & Kahaka, G. (2015, September). Nutrient Content of Maxau and Âudaï, Fermented Beverages from //Karas Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the Nation Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 4. Cheikhyoussef, A., Shirungu, M., Ellis, W., Davids, D., & Gibson, D. (2015, September). Ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal plant uses by traditional healers in Kavango, Namibia and the Western Cape, South Africa. Paper presented at the Namibia/South Africa Joint Researchers Workshop, Windhoek, Namibia. 5. Chisenga, M.P., Du Preez, I.C., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, September). A Comparative Analysis of the in vitro Antiplasmodial Effects of Lophiocarpus sp. and Moringa ovalifolia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 6. Cueto, C.A., Smith, J.L., Haindongo, U., Gosling, R., Bennett, A., Mumbengegwi, D., & Sturrock, H. (2015, October). Epidemiology of malaria in low and very low transmission border settings in Namibia. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and HygieneAnnual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 7. Cueto, C., Jacobson, J., Smith, J., Mumbengegwi, D., Sturrock, H., Gosling, R., & Bennet, A. (2015, October). Active surveillance through peer referral to identify populations at higher risk for malaria in Zambezi Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 8. Du Preez, I.C., Porfirio, C., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, September). The value of herbal supplements for treatment of chronic diseases in Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 9. Dushimemaria, F., Mbewe, M., Eiman, E., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, September). Antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activity displayed by actinomycetes isolated from Kavango and Rehoboth soils. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 130
10. Eliaser, E. N., Kalili, K.M., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015, November). Analysis of phenolics in Berchemia discolor, Diospyros mespiliformis and Hyphaene petersiana fruits using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 11. Embashu, W., Cheikhyoussef, A., & Kahaka, G. (2015, November). Macro- and microminerals of Oshikundu. Paper presented at the multi/inter-disciplinary research conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 12. Embashu, W., & Cheikhyoussef. A. (2015, September). Effect of physicochemical parameters on microbiological quality of Oshikundu. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium , Windhoek, Namibia. 13. Embashu, W., Cheikhyoussef, A., & Kahaka, G. (2015, November). Macro- and Microminerals of Oshikundu. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek. 14. Gosling, R., & Kleinschmidt, I. (2015, October). Evaluation of LAMP as a malaria diagnostic tool in reactive case detection in Namibia with RDTs as the source of DNA. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA, USA. 15. Haindongo, E.H.H., Böck, R., Nafuka, S., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, September). Isolation and Genus identification of bacteria from urine contaminated soils of Windhoek. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 16. Haindongo, E.H.H., Mumbengegwi, D., Bock, R., Sturrock, H., & Gosling, R. (2015, October). An investigation into the risk factors of malaria in a pre-elimination rural and peri-urban setting of Northern Namibia. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 17. Haindongo, E.H.H., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Böck, R., Sturrock, H.W., & Gosling, R. (2015, September). A comparison of malaria risk factors between case and control households in the low transmission, pre-elimination Omusati Region of Northern Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 18. Iikasha, A.M.N., Eiman, H., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, September). Antimicrobial activity of pigment producing Streptomyces from Windhoek soil. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium , Windhoek, Namibia. 19. Iikasha, A., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, November). Are Ethno Medicinal Plants Alternative Treatments for Diarrhea? Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 131
20. Indongo, N. (2015). Breastfeeding and complementary feeding patters among infants and young children age 0.24 months in Namibia. Paper presented at the Food and Nutrition Conference in Arusha. 21. Indongo, N. (2015). Risk factors for non-communicable diseases among young and older adults in Namibia. Paper presented at the Food and Nutrition Conference in Arusha. 22. Indongo, N. (2015). Women’s perception on Marriage: Patterns Changes and Continuities. Paper presented at the Marriage Conference proceedings, University of Hamburg. 23. Isak, H. N., Kalili, K.M., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015, November). Evaluation of AntiOxidant Activities of Some Plants used by Traditional Healers in the Treatment of Mental Disorders in Kavango East region. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 24. Jacobson, J., Cueto, C., Smith, J., Mumbengegwi, D., Roberts, K., Sturrock, H., Gosling, R., & Bennett, A. (2015, October). Evaluating high-risk venue-based malaria surveillance using time-location sampling in Namibia. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 25. Kanandjebo, L.N., & Ngololo, E.N. (2015, November). Effects of ICT-driven pedagogy on performance of Grade 12 Geometry Ordinary level- learners in the Omusati Education region, Namibia. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 26. Lendelvo, S. (2015, September). Water provision to rural communities through community based management. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 27. Lendelvo, S., Lawrence, K., Suich, H., & Mfune, J. (2015, November). Factors affecting the persistence of the translocated eland (Traurotrogus oryx) and springbok. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 28. Likuwa, K. (2015). History of land dispossession in Namibia. Paper presented at the Urban Youth Conference, Otjiwarongo. 29. McCreesh,P., Cueto, C., Jacobson,J., Smith, J., Mumbengegwi, D., Sturrock, H., Gosling, R., Bennet, A., & Hsiang, M. (2015, October). Identifying risk factors for malaria in the Zambezi region of Namibia: A cross-sectional study using rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) and loop mediated isothermal amplification. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 132
30. Mogotsi, I., Van Rooy, G., Kazapua, S., Indongo, N., Likuwa, K., Haihambo, C.K., Shirungu, M., & Kakujaha-Matundu O. (2015, November). Gender Based Violence in Namibia: A Response Driven Approach. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. 31. Mumbengegwi, D. (2015, October-November). Documenting medicinal Indigenous Knowledge (IK) for using ICT. Paper presented at the Inaugural Conference of the African Association for the Study of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Windhoek, Namibia. 32. Mumbengegwi, D,R. (2015, September). From Malaria Control to Elimination: New Strategies and Projects. Paper presented at the 9th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, Basel, Switzerland. 33. Mumbengegwi, D.R., Auala, J., Haindongo, E., Tambo, M., Kleinschmidt, I., Sturrock, H., & Gosling, R. (2015, September). Reactive case detection as a surveillance tool for malaria elimination: The case of northern Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 34. Nghilalulwa, T. N. N., Kalili, K.M., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015, November). Phytochemical and Antimicrobial analysis of some Medicinal plants used traditionally in the treatment of mental disorders in Kavango East region. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 35. Shirungu, M., & Cheikhyoussef, A. (2015, October). Women as healers: The gendered nature of Indigenous knowledge in Kavango East and West regions in the Northeastern part of Namibia. Paper presented at the Inaugural Conference of the African Association for the Study of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 36. Smith, J.L., Haindongo, U., Gosling, R., Bennett, A., Mumbengegwi, D., & Sturrock, D. (2015, October). Tools for identifying malaria high risk populations: pilot of a casecontrol methodology in Zambezi Region, Namibia. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 37. Stuurmann, H.A., Böck, R.A., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, September). In vitro investigation of anticancer properties of Sclerocarya birrea (marula) and Adansonia digitata (baobab) plant extracts. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 38. Stuurmann, H., Schulz M.K., Mancama, D., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015). An Investigation of the in vitro Anti-Cancer Properties of Acanthosicyos naudinianus. Paper presented at the Aortic Cancer Conference, Marrakech, Morroco. 133
39. Swartz, W., Du Preez, C.I., & Mumbengegwi, D.R. (2015, November). Medicinal plants as an alternative treatment for Malaria. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Science Research Conference, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia. 40. Tambo, M., Mumbengegwi, D.R., Bock, R., Sturrock, H.W.J., Auala, J., Haindongo, E., Tambo, M., Kleinschmidt, I., Mumbengegwi, D., & Gosling, R.D. (2015, October). Spatial clustering of malaria infections in northern Namibia: implications for surveillance and response strategies for elimination. Paper presented at the 64th American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 41. Tambo, M., Mugadza, T.G.T., Mumbengegwi, D.R., & Bock, R.A. (2015, September). Evaluation of a Molecular Diagnostic Method to Detect Campylobacter Fetus in Field Isolates from Namibia. Paper presented at the National Research Symposium,Windhoek, Namibia. 42. Tomas, P., & MuAshekele, H. (2015, November). Power Output through Blades Design. Paper presented at the Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Windhoek, Namibia. COMMUNITY SERVICE The MRC research team contributed to the scientific community through reviewing of manuscripts submitted to journals, giving advisory services through presenting training workshops or being board / committee / taskforce members in the public and private sector. The year 2015 saw MRC teams disseminating research outputs and popularising its work in Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Omaheke, Karas, Kavango and Zambezi regions.
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2.10
CENTRE FOR OPEN, DISTANCE AND E-LEARNING
INTRODUCTION The Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning (CODeL) is an academic centre at the University of Namibia. It was established through the merging of the Centre for External Studies (CES) and the Centre for eLearning and Interactive Multimedia (CeLIM) in 2016. The aim of CODeL is to serve as a hub for learning material development and for eLearning so as to ensure greater access to higher education and equity for students with diverse educational backgrounds. CODeL comprises two main sections, namely ODL on the one hand and eLearning on the other. ODL deals with supporting distance students in collaboration with Faculties; Instructional Design of print-based materials and their delivery through CODeL stores and the Student Administration that resorts under the Registrar’s office, with a dotted line reporting to CODeL. The eLearning section deals with Instructional Design of eLearning materials, Learning Management System, Digital Media Production, Video Conferencing, support of lecturers, students and clients as well as the management of eLearning projects. This report focuses on the research activities of staff members of the two Centres and the reports of the Director for 2015. DIRECTOR’S REPORT CES Director The Centre for External Studies (CES) at the University of Namibia is an academic centre, established with the aim to increase access to higher education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. CES is one of the leading service providers of ODL in Namibia. It is committed to ensuring that Education for All is indeed accessible to all, and for all students to reach their full potential and take their place in Namibia. As an Open and Distance Learning Centre, we are committed to quality education that would contribute to the optimal development of individuals as well as the socio-economic growth of Namibia. Through the research unit within CES our aim is to ensure best practice in the areas of learning materials development and production, student support and technologies. This will, in the long run, contribute towards the objectives of our country’s Vision 2030. Although CES mainly conducts research in the area of Open and Distance Education, it also has research links with the various Faculties within the University of Namibia. The vast majority of staff has expertise in diverse areas of Education, Nursing, Psychology, HIV and AIDS, Communication and Science, among others. Against this background CES established research links with UNESCO, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) and many more governmental and nongovernmental organisations. Staff members belong to various research bodies, such as the 135
Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA), Namibian Educational Research Association (NERA), Namibia Open Learning Network Trust (NOLNeT) and the Southern African Society for Education (SASE). CES participates in collaborative activities with other national and international Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions through NOLNeT and other organisations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, through its participation in DEASA, NERA, SASE, the Namibia Educational Research Association Executive Committee; the Southern African Association of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, the Distance Learning Task Force (I-TECH) and the Commonwealth Institution of Open Learning. Ms Agathe Lewin served as a member of the UNAM Scholarly Communications Coordinating Committee (SCCC). The main duty of this committee is to oversee the management and implementation of the Scholarly Communications Policy and foster cooperation and collaboration between Faculties and academic centres and units, the ILRC and the computer centre, in order to increase access to information, knowledge, research, and artistic and creative works. The SCCC is also responsible for the promotion and support of the UNAM Scholarly Repository. The Centre for External Studies was industrious with regard to research activities during the year under review and motivated staff to take their research activities very seriously. CeLIM Director The Centre for eLearning and Interactive Multimedia (CeLIM) was established and officially launched in 2015. The aim of CeLIM is to serve as a hub for the production of eLearning materials for the University of Namibia and as a vehicle to drive the University’s initiative to move “e” by adopting blended learning. Blended learning refers to a strategic and systematic approach to combining times and modes of learning, and integrating the best aspects of face-toface and online interactions for each University course through the use of appropriate ICTs.
CeLIM consists of five main sections, namely Instructional Design, Project Management, Digital Media, Learning Management System and Video Conferencing, all of which provide eLearning support services and classroom equipment support to the University. Instructional Design maps out processes and develops course templates and storyboards to support lecturers in the process of creating online courses. Project Management deals with logistical facilitation of all the moving “e” activities of the Centre, while the Digital Media section is the creative hub that focuses on, among others, the creation of graphics and templates needed for eLearning content development. The Learning Management System section offers the platform (Moodle) for learning content, instructional and learning activities, and supports lecturers and students on the use of the platform. The Video Conferencing section plays a vital role in supporting intercampus communication at the University as well as communication with the outside world through video conferencing facilities. 136
RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION Focus Areas for CES Apart from striving to produce quality research and publications, CES staff members also have to conduct research as one of their major roles and responsibilities as university academics. The Centre therefore derives its research mandate from the UNAM strategic objective, which reads: Increase and broaden research output in ODL.
The Centre had a low research output for 2015 due to the challenges of publication as a process, as well as the heavy workloads of academic staff members. The Centre has the following specific research objectives: Improve quality service to distance education students through research Explore how technology could be used to improve student support Collect empirical evidence to strengthen policy and practice in distance education Establish inter-research activities with other faculties within the University and ODL institutions Conduct research activities to develop as academics.
Focus Areas for CeLIM CeLIM was in its inception year and focus was more on establishing the Centre, drafting and getting its policies approved, creating its management plan, hence the research focus and outputs were extremely low. While CeLIM is an academic support centre for our Faculties/Campuses/Centres, its staff compliment is administrative, with the exception of the Director. However, CeLIM regards research as a crucial component in that many of the support functions and services that we render and would like to render are research-driven and require in-depth research to stay abreast with latest trends. CeLIM has considered engaging in collaborative research with Faculty members. Below are some of the research focus areas:
Mobile Learning (m-Learning) Technology enhanced Learning Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) Virtual Personal Learning Environments Social Media and Networked Learning Instructional Design in Distance Education Flipped Classroom Project Management Gamification Learning Analytics and Big Data 137
PUBLICATIONS Research and Publications from CES Journal articles 1. Chindongo, I. C., & Mbukusa, R.N. (2015). Exploring the barriers that impede parental involvement in children’s education at Sauyemwa Junior Secondary School. Journal of Education Research and Behavioural Sciences, 4(2),298 -305. December. http://www.apexjournal.org/jerbs/archive/2015/Dec/Dec_toc.html. ISSN 2315-8735 2. Mbukusa, R.N. (2015). Distance Education undergraduate students’ experiences of project work suspension in Namibia. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 6(3). Article 12. 3. Nekongo-Nielsen, H., Mbukusa, N., Tjiramba, E., & Beukes, F. (2015). Investigating factors that lead to school dropout in Namibia. Namibian CPD Journal for Educators, 2(1):99 -118. (Publication pending). 4. Ngololo, E., & Nekongo-Nielsen, H. (2015). A Comparison of Performance between the Former Science Foundation Programme Students and the Direct Entry Students. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 2(11), 100-107. November. www.arcjournals.org ©ARC Page | 100.
Chapters in Books Mbukusa, R.N. (2015). Understanding the indigenous coping strategies of the Basubiya on the flooding of the Zambezi River. In Chinsembu K.C., Cheikhyoussef, A. Mumbengegwi, D., Kandawa-Schulz, M., & Kazembe, L. (Eds). Indigenous Knowledge of Namibia. Windhoek: University of Namibia Press. Conference Papers / Proceedings 1. Lilemba, V., Nekongo-Nielsen, N. & Nyambe, J. (2015, September). Perception and experiences of beneficiaries of indigenous healing practices in Kaliyangile District of the Zambezi Region, Namibia. Paper presented at NCRST National Research Symposium Windhoek, Namibia. 2. Misitilde, J., & Nekongo-Nielsen, H. (2015, September).Linking indigenous knowledge on health to literacy learning: a study conducted among the Ovahimba community in 138
Namibia. Paper presented at NCRST National Research Symposium, Windhoek, Namibia. 3. Misitilde, J., & Nekongo-Nielsen,H. (2105, November). Indigenous peoples’ ways of knowing: Documenting the Ovahimba Communities’ indigenous health knowledge. Paper presented at Multi/Interdisciplinary Research Conference.
Workshops and conferences attended 1. Martha Niitembu and Murangi Godwin attended a DEASA Conference in Manzini, Swaziland on 17 - 20 September 2015. 2. Lewin Agathe, Regina Shikongo and Godwin Murangi attended a workshop on Ethics in Research, arranged by NOLNet at the Gateway Conference Centre, on 9 – 10 June 2015. 3. Lewin Agathe and Haaveshe Nekongo-Nielsen attended a workshop on Institutional Research Evaluation (IRE) by the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) at NIPAM, Windhoek on 03 - 04 December 2015. Their attendance was made possible by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organisation (WHO). 4. Josaphat Shilongo and Agathe Lewin attended a workshop on Upscaling Digital Learning at UNAM, facilitated by GIZ, Windhoek, on 19 October 2015). 5. Josaphat Shilongo attended a workshop on OER (Open Educational Resources) Policy Development/formulation for NOLNet, organized by the NOLNet e-Learning Committee, on 16 - 17 November 2015. 6. Lewin Agathe served as a CES Representative on the UNAM Research and Publications Committee (URPC), and the UNAM Scholarly Communications Coordinating Committee (SCCC) of the URPC. 7. Niitembu Martha attended a course on “Designing, doing and publishing case studies” offered by the African Doctoral Academy of University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, on 29 June – 3 July 2015.
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Research and Publications from CeLIM Research and Publications Journal Articles Mchombu, K.J., & Beukes-Amiss, C.M. (2015). The role of libraries in contemporary African society. Library Trends, 64(1). (“Library and Information Services in Africa in the Twenty-First Century,” edited by Ellen R. Tise), pp. 112–124. Board of Trustees, University of Illinois Conference Papers / Proceedings/Podcasts 1. Beukes-Amiss, C.M. (2015, October). How far has technology advanced in Namibia: implications for educational institutions. Paper presented at the Technology Day of the Polytechnic of Namibia, Round Table. 2. Beukes-Amiss, M. (2015, November). SISTEM® one-on-one from Namibia with Dr Maggy. Director eLearning and Interactive Multimedia Unit, University of Namibia http://www.istg-africatomorrow.com/SISTEM-BeukesAmiss-Nov2015.html.
Workshops and Conferences attended Workshops Overall Strategic Planning workshop On-line Instructional Design Facilitation eLearning Africa (eLA) Conference, 20 -22 May, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Upscaling Digital Learning at UNAM, GIZ one-day workshop Moodle Front End Training Scopia Skills Training Online MOOCs Training China Benchmarking Trip on eEducation and Video Conferencing Leadership and Supervisory Training BSC/Strategic Management Training
Staff Members All CeLIM staff Mr Japhet Kazavanga Mr Gerhold Kooper, Ms Anneliese Groenewald, Dr Maggy Beukes-Amiss, Mr Japhet Kazavanga and Mr Alfons Kahuikee All CeLIM Staff members and pilot group members All CeLIM Staff members and pilot group members Mr Johannes Nambili and Mr Gerhold Kooper Mr Gerhold Kooper Mr Gerhold Kooper, Mr Johannes Nambili, Ms Groenewald and Dr Maggy BeukesAmiss Ms Ilena Peter, Mr Johannes Nambili, Mr Andre Joubert and Mr Japhet Kazavanga Ms Anneliese Groenewald and Ms Ilena Peter 140
Online Educa Berlin (OEB) Conference, 2-4 December, Berlin, Germany eLearning Strategy Development as part of UNAM/GIZ MoU
Mrs Anna-Marie Schaller-Nangolo, Mr A. Joubert, Mr G. Kooper and Dr Maggy Beukes-Amiss All CeLIM staff
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES The key achievements in the two Centres were not necessarily related to research activities but had implications thereof. CES The Centre envisioned that all academics tutoring distance students should practise the open and distance learning (ODL) conceptual framework. In order to achieve this, the Department of Student Support organised an academic orientation for tutors and students, vacation schools, telephone tutoring, video conferencing, SMS messaging and by means of e-mail and portal tutoring. The Department of Student Support also provided Saturday tutorials at most of the University campuses and CES regional centres, specifically in challenging subject areas such as Science, Economics and Accounting. Furthermore, the Department submitted reviewed curricula for qualification registration and accreditation, and mobilized the usage of the multi-media technologies in distance teaching. The strong relationship with University faculties was maintained through conducting joint meetings on materials development and student support services. CES continued to participate in collective activities with national and international Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions through the Namibia Open Learning Network (NOLNeT), Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA) and Southern African Society for Education (SASE). Resulting from the retreat that was held at Heja Lodge (3-5 April 2014), focusing on reenvisioning of CODeL activities for the next five years (2015 – 2020), an Ad Hoc Committee was designated to look at the Centre structure and functions and suggest the best model for Distance Education at UNAM. Some of the resolutions made were incorporated in the CES strategic plan, though the best model for distance education was not fully implemented in 2015. Going forward, the initiatives reported above need to be informed by research and benchmarking exercises to ensure that key decisions are evidence-based and informed by current practices in the field. CeLIM Similarly, the key milestones for CeLIM were not necessarily research-focused, but have implications for it.
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Staff of CeLIM travelled to satellite campuses to deliver and install state of the art teaching and learning equipment. They also offered staff development support to academic staff in the use of the Learning Management System (Moodle) and other teaching and learning equipment, including the use of a flexible desktop video conferencing solution called Scopia. One of the main activities in CeLIM for 2015 was the initiation of the pilot project in moving “e”. This was enabled through consultation with Deans and Directors who were requested to nominate staff members to participate in this pilot initiative (moving “e”) involving the video recording of lecturers and other interested academics at Main Campus as well as other campuses (Rundu and Northern Campuses). The Digital Media section then created a guide for lecturers on how to prepare for recording sessions. In further supporting the pilot group, Instructional Designers also coached participating lecturers on how to design online courses. Other activities carried out in support of the pilot group were:
Recording of 28 lecturers’ classes/topics, of which 40 videos were recorded and edited Uploading of recorded videos of lectures/lessons on Moodle Linking lecturers to their courses on Moodle Creating user accounts for students and lecturers and linking students to their registered courses Creation of Mahara ePortfolio tool in Moodle for creation of personal learning environment, reflective learning and collaboration Facilitation of e-assessment training (by Dr Boer)
As part of the process of laying down a foundation to move “e”, the eLearning instructional designers collaborated with the Open and Distance colleagues at CES to identify courses and materials for online learning. They then developed learning scenarios, course creation templates, storyboards and digital interactive materials for online courses. The Centre (CeLIM) facilitated video conferencing classes for Master Education students. The Video Conferencing section provided technical assistance at video conferenced lectures, conferences, public lectures and various functions as per requests received from various Faculties and units. Some visuals regarding milestones and strategic visits are presented below.
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CeLIM team members visiting SANUMARC, Henties Bay
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2.11 CENTRE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Centre for Quality Assurance and Management (CEQUAM) did not place much focus on research during the year 2015 due to financial constraints. However, there is a need to increase research output in quality assurance as this area is seldom or not researched in Namibia, as evidenced by the unavailability of published literature on quality assurance in the Namibian context. RESEARCH STRATEGIC DIRECTION The Centre for Quality Assurance and Management, in its quest for excellence, sporadically conducts research to ensure that the delivery and maintenance of excellence in instruction, learning, acquisition, research, academic and administrative/support services, student welfare, governance and community service are realised at UNAM’s main and satellite campuses. Quality Assurance coordinators are encouraged to jointly conduct research with fellow colleagues to continuously improve the above-mentioned aspects of UNAM. The Centre also seeks to increase research output in the area of Quality Assurance in Higher Education from 2016 going forward. Finally, by virtue of conducting rigorous institutional and faculty audits annually, the centre envisages publishing audit reports for public consumption.
PUBLICATIONS
Refereed journal articles
Kadhila, N., & Nyathi, S. (2015). A critical analysis of using student evaluation feedback to enhance students’ experience of teaching and learning: Closing the loop. Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1,2). University of Namibia. Refereed books None Chapters in books None
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Conference papers
1.
Matakala, V.M., & Zulu, A. (2015). Quality Dimensions in SBS Portfolio Development: Perspectives from University of Namibia’s KMC Student Teachers. Paper presented at EDUCON 2015, Katima Mulilo Campus.
2.
Kacelo, P., Zulu, A., & Matakala, V.M. (2015). The perceptions and utilisation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) among student teachers during School-based Studies: Narratives from student teachers at University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo Campus. Paper presented at EDUCON 2015, Katima Mulilo Campus.
3.
Zulu, A., Mutumba, S., & Matakala, V.M. (2015). The impact of class size on learner performance in English: A case study of Mavuluma Primary School, Zambezi Region. Paper presented at EDUCON 2015, Katima Mulilo Campus.
Other publications None Patents None Innovation outputs None Funded research projects None Total value of funded research projects None Number of publications in internationally accredited journals None
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES During 2015, the University of Namibia, through CEQUAM, was awarded the International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality by the European Society for Quality Research in Vienna, Austria.
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CONCLUSION
CEQUAM endeavours to constantly monitor university-wide quality tenets, such as fitness for/of purpose, providing value for money, institutional audits, facilitation of benchmarks and accreditation activities against national and international best practices. It is therefore imperative that the Centre devises strategies to capacitate its personnel to conduct more research on aspects that enhance or inhibit quality in higher education institutions of Namibia, including the University of Namibia.
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