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 Logo of the Polytechnic of Namibia | |
Motto in English | Technology and development |
|---|---|
| Established | 1994 |
| Rector | Tjama Tjivikua |
Academic staff | ≥300[1] |
| Students | 11,500[2] |
| Location | , |
| Colours | Yellow and Blue |
| Nickname | Poly |
| Website | http://www.polytechnic.edu.na/ |
The Polytechnic of Namibia, locally also known as Poly or Polytechnic, is an institute of tertiary education in Windhoek, Namibia. It has been established by Act 33 / 1994 of the Namibian Parliament.
History[edit]
The Polytechnic emerged from the Academy for Tertiary Education, founded in 1980, which was the first institution of higher education in Namibia. Act 9/1985 of the South African administration defined three sections for this academy, a university part, the College of Out-of-School Training (COST) for vocational training programs, and the Technikon Namibia for technical programs related to science and technology.[4]
When in 1992 the University of Namibia (UNAM) was founded, the Academy lost its university section. The remaining sections, COST and Technikon, were merged to form the Polytechnic of Namibia per Act of Parliament in 1994.[4]
The Polytechnic consists of two campuses and a number of scattered former residential buildings all located in the Windhoek West suburb close to the city centre. The main campus consists of the structures originally erected for the Academy for Tertiary Education.[4] At its center is the Elisabeth house, Windhoek's former obstetric hospital designed by Wilhelm Sander in 1907. Elisabeth house is a national monument since 1986 and houses the Senate chambers and the office of the Rector.[5]
The Engineering campus is adjacent to the main campus; construction of this area started in 1995.[3] Originally intended to house only the School of Engineering, this campus has gradually grown and accommodates the library, all auditoria, and many of the other faculty venues.
Academic and vocational offerings[edit]
As a classic polytechnic the institution offers both higher-level vocational training and academic degrees in technical subjects and the applied sciences. In many cases these programs can be combined such that the academic degree can be attempted after a more basic vocational training was successfully passed.[6]
The Polytechnic of Namibia comprises six academic schools and offers undergraduate as well as postgraduate degrees in the areas of business and management, engineering, information technology, journalism, hospitality, natural resource management, and medicine. As of 2010[update] there are 86 undergraduate and 19 postgraduate degrees offered at the institution.[4]
Competition with the University of Namibia[edit]
The Polytechnic of Namibia has been in constant competition with Namibia's only state-owned university, the University of Namibia (UNAM).[7] University rankings consistently list both institutions among Africa's Top-50, usually with UNAM a few places ahead of Polytechnic.[8] However, on the Webometrics 2011[update] list, the Polytechnic of Namibia occupies rank 30 in Africa (2,866 globally), and the University rank 54 (4,507).[9][10]
On the local level, judging service and contributions to the Namibian economy, Polytechnic of Namibia usually tops all other educational institutions.[11][12] In 2010 the argument about who delivers the best tertiary education in Namibia entered a new stage when a local study found the Polytechnic again to be far ahead in terms of services delivery. This study has subsequently been rejected by the Students’ Representative Council of UNAM[13] but endorsed by Polytechnic management staff.[12]
Naming controversy[edit]
The Polytechnic of Namibia has for a number of years attempted to change its name and its mandate to that of a "Namibia's University of Science and Technology" (NUST). The institution went as far as adopting this name on its web site and in most of its official communication.[7] This, however, was against the law that established the institution. In August 2010 the motion was stopped by cabinet, stating upcoming overall changes to the Namibian education sector as the reason to decline the name change.[14]
Events[edit]
The institution conducts a cultural festival every year at the onset of spring. Activities include an International Cuisine Day where staff and students prepare and sell traditional food, a flea market, and the Miss and Mr Polytechnic competition.[15] The Polyetchnic was awarded the trophy for best exhibit in the education category at the ongwediva trade fair,beating a number of other natioanl and international contenders.The Ongwediva trade fair provided the Poly with an an ideal opportunity to market the institution and recruit students.Veieu Shempe,Development officer received the award. [16]
Notable alumni[edit]
- Sam Nujoma, first president of Namibia, received a Doctorate honoris causa in Public Management in 2005[17]
- Harold Pupkewitz, entrepreneur, received a Doctorate honoris causa in Business Management in 2011[18]
References[edit]
- ^ "Old Mutual donates N$300 000 to the Polytechnic Library". The Namibian. 23 Aug 2010.
- ^ "Tjivikua nicht verärgert". Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 24 Aug 2010.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Laureate Tjama Tjivikua". Junior Achievement Namibia. Retrieved 24 Aug 2010.
- ^ a b c d Polytechnic of Namibia Historical Perspective
- ^ "Neues Leben im "Storchennest"". Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 17 April 2007.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Prospectus for Undergraduate Studies" (pdf). Polytechnic of Namibia. 2010.
- ^ a b Smith, Jana-Mari (23 Aug 2010). "Cabinet to decide on Polytechnic name". The Namibian.
- ^ Kiremire, Enos (21 Aug 2009). "African University Ranking Sub-Saharan Africa: (July 2009: University of Namibia)". New Era.
- ^ "Top Africa". Webometrics.info. Retrieved 01 September 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Rank of Universities of Namibia". Webometrics.info. Retrieved 01 September 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Katswara, Tonderai (21 Jan 2005). "Excellence and hard work honoured at PMR awards". The Namibian.
- ^ a b Ekongo, John (9 June 2010). "Poly not at war with Unam". New Era.
- ^ Shipanga, Selma (23 Aug 2010). "Unam slams Polytech over survey findings". The Namibian.
- ^ Philander, Frederick (23 Aug 2010). "Poly stays a Poly". New Era.
- ^ "Accommodation, Sport & Culture". Polytechnic of Namibia. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ^ "Poly earns top honours". Polytechnic of Namibia. Retrieved 05 October 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Philander, Frederick (Frederick Philander 11 April 2005). "Namibia: Do We Have What It Takes?". New Era.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Hundreds graduate from Poly". New Era. 18 April 2011.
External links[edit]
- Polytechnic of Namibia website
- "Polytechnic of Namibia Act 33 of 1994" (pdf). Government of Namibia. Retrieved 23 Aug 2010.
22°36′40″S 17°03′27″E / 22.61111°S 17.05750°E
Category:Education in Windhoek Category:Educational institutions established in 1994 Category:1994 in Namibia Category:Windhoek