Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) have signed a renewed Cooperation Agreement, extending their academic and research partnership until 2029.
The agreement was formalised during a signing ceremony in Windhoek by BoN Deputy Governor Leonie Dunn and UNAM Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ellen Ndeshi Namhila.
The collaboration, which was originally established in 2014 and expired in 2024, reaffirms a decade-long partnership and will now extend until 2029. The renewal of this strategic accord underscores both institutions’ commitment to producing rigorous scholarship and cultivating a knowledge-based economy.
PICTURED: Deputy Governor, Ms Leonie Dunn and Acting Vice Chancellor, Ms Ellen Ndeshi Namhila alongside representatives from both institutions.
The Cooperation Agreement is underpinned by four central pillars: academic support, joint research, capacity building, and institutional collaboration.
Notably, the Bank will continue availing its highly qualified staff, especially doctoral holders, to serve as part-time lecturers in UNAM’s Faculty of Commerce, Management and Law. These services are rendered at the Bank’s full cost as part of its corporate social responsibility mandate, with the express aim of enhancing instructional quality in key economic disciplines.
Equally central to the agreement is a renewed focus on joint research that directly engages Namibia’s developmental challenges. Research initiatives will be aligned with national policy frameworks including Vision 2030 and the National Development Plans, enabling both institutions to generate evidence-based insights on matters such as macroeconomic stability, inclusive growth, financial systems development, and social transformation.
Through such collaboration, the parties aim to bridge the gap between academic inquiry and public policy.
The agreement also establishes mechanisms for academic exchange and public intellectual engagement. This includes the co-hosting of conferences, symposia, short courses, and seminars to promote knowledge sharing, professional development, and public discourse on critical policy issues. The intention is to foster a deeper understanding of the country’s socio-economic dynamics and enhance the capabilities of both students and professionals.
To ensure the effectiveness of the partnership, the agreement sets out a defined coordination and performance monitoring framework. Each institution has designated operational and institutional contact points, with annual review meetings built into the structure of implementation. Furthermore, UNAM will submit biannual performance feedback on lecturers provided by the Bank, thereby maintaining a system of mutual accountability and quality assurance.
Reflecting on the importance of the agreement, Dunn added that the renewal speaks to the Bank’s wider commitment to sustainable national development. “This partnership is more than an educational initiative; it is an investment in the intellectual infrastructure of Namibia. We believe that through research, teaching, and public dialogue, we can help shape a future of informed policymaking and economic resilience,” Dunn said.
Professor Namhila echoed these sentiments, emphasising the transformative impact the Bank’s support has had on UNAM’s academic delivery. “This renewed agreement marks another milestone in our journey to produce skilled professionals and rigorous research that responds to Namibia’s developmental needs. We are grateful for the Bank’s considered support,” Namhila said.
The renewed Cooperation Agreement stands as a blueprint for how public institutions can meaningfully collaborate to drive national progress by integrating academic rigour with policy relevance. BoN and UNAM reaffirm their shared role in shaping a more prosperous and inclusive Namibia.
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