Page 36 - UNAM Annual Report 2017
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Henties Bay. UNAM researchers showcased network and form strong partnerships, both
various research outputs and products to the nationally and internationally. MRC, furthermore,
academic fraternity and public stakeholders. The successfully hosted the Insaka Symposium,
theme of 2017’s Research and Innovation Day which brought together a consortium of
was Climate, Oceans and Society: Challenges stakeholders with valuable presentations. The
and Opportunities. Centre’s hardworking and selfless researchers
crisscrossed the country to conduct research
UNAM Press published three double-blind projects, of which the findings contribute to
peer-reviewed academic books in 2017. national development goals. For example, the
The multi-authored book, Democracy and ZERI Division conducted successful training on
Education in Namibia and Beyond, edited by mushroom production, at UNAM Main Campus,
Elizabeth M. Amukugo, included chapters by to which delegates from SADC countries were
UNAM academics in the fields of education, invited – this event is another feather of success
sociology and politics. The Lie of the Land, in MRC’s research hat.
by Jasper Utley, is a historical novel set in the
time of the Namibian genocide. UNAM Press’s MRC executed the following research
support for indigenous languages resulted in the programmes in collaboration with faculties and
publication, in Otjiherero, of Otuzo twOvaherero, in partnership with stakeholders in Namibia and
which presents cultural information. In 2017, beyond: water quality and sanitation; biodiversity,
24 manuscripts were submitted, and a further ecology and ecosystem services; land and
11 further manuscripts were rejected. The new agrarian reform; gender-based violence;
move to acquire licence agreements to reprint disaster and risk management; population
scholarly books that are locally appropriate dynamics and reproductive health; early
broadens the output of books and makes childhood development; malaria operational
international publications more affordable research (in Ohangwena and Zambezi Regions);
regionally. The Press also undertook a number drug discovery and development; wind power
of training workshops and presentations to (in Lüderitz); indigenous knowledge systems
motivate and strengthen the capacity of staff to technology; and food and beverages.
publish.
The MRC team also secured funding from
Multidisciplinary Research Centre various sources after research projects, among
The mandate of the Multidisciplinary Research which the gender assessment report for the
Centre (MRC) is to conduct applied research Green Climate Fund Project in partnership with
that addresses social and scientific challenges Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia; post
in national development priority areas; to impact evaluation study of E8 border malaria;
coordinate multidisciplinary, collaborative assessment of the Food Bank Programme in the
research by forming partnerships locally and Khomas Region in collaboration with Ministry
internationally; to promote research and its of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare; an
outputs and raise awareness of its importance assessment of the impact of lifestyle-related
as a tool for developmental solutions, value diseases on livelihood of people in urban areas
addition and product development; and to in Namibia; women’s land use, ownership and
carry out teaching and advisory services for the rights in communal areas of Namibia; and the
public. formulation of indigenous natural products with
medicinal applications.
MRC successfully presented the 2 Multi/
nd
Interdisciplinary Research Conference in July Over the years, MRC has been proactive in
2017, at which a number of research outputs mobilising research funding and supervising
were presented by scholars from UNAM and postgraduate research fellows at both
abroad. The conference was also used to Master’s and doctoral levels, in collaboration
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