Page 2 - UNAM Forum ED1-2020

FROM THE Desk of the Vice Chancellor

Dear Readers

Although keeping a distance away from each other the norm in the near future, thanks to COVID-19. This
has now become an act of love and compassion, is likely to affect more aspects of our lives, and thus
UNAM remains committed to keeping you abreast everyone from the UNAM community is encouraged
with the latest developments in academia, from to think openly about change and not merely wait
the comfort of your home. In this first ever entirely and hope for the outbreak to end.
digital issue of the University’s official newsletter,
UNAM Forum, we try to keep you abreast with In this issue, we highlight some of the major roles the
what our faculties have been occupied with, the university is playing amid the fight against COVID-19,
experience of students and major breakthroughs as well as the dynamic work our academics have
and developments. been engulfed in.

Economists have already begun predicting more The production of hand-sanitizer by our Science
tough times ahead as the world grapples with the Faculty and Pharmacy School was a game changer
latest threat to humankind - the corona virus. They for many Namibians who couldn’t access the
say that another recession is imminent and that more product as demand surged overnight. UNAM has
global challenges loom on the horizon. also launched a pilot tracing mobile application
(NamCotrace) that will help health workers do their
Despite this high degree of uncertainty in the world, jobs with less risk and high efficiency. These and
as a strong advocate of innovation, I have faith that more, are articles you can read about in this issue.
UNAM can confront these circumstances and make
the best of a bad situation. Before COVID-19 arrived,
UNAM had already taken the first few steps of the
digital transformation journey. However, current Happy reading!
circumstances have forced us to speed up the
process and our community, both staff and students,
have been learning while doing, to adapt to our
new online teaching and administration approach.

We therefore, trust that all our stakeholders will enjoy
this digital format as much as they did with the former Prof Kenneth Matengu
printed version. Digital platforms are likely to become Vice Chancellor

University of Namibia
UNAM FORUM - 2020
UNAM Forum is published by the Communications and Marketing Department covering Chief Editor: John Haufiky
news and events of the University of Namibia. UNAM Forum does not necessarily Editor: John Rittmann
reflect the official views and opinions of the management of the University of Namibia. Compiled By: John Rittmann
Text material may be reproduced freely with attribution to UNAM Forum and author, Layout/DTP: John Rittmann
where applicable. All rights to photographs and illustrations are reserved. Permission to Photography: Lisle Izaks; Wilhelm Kafita
reproduce must be obtained from the University of Namibia.
© UNAM 2020