Grants for UNAM research
From the left, Prof Isaac Mapaure, UNAM Research Coordinator; Mrs Alushe Nditya, Manager: Resource Mobilisation at the NCRST, UNAM Pro-Vice Chancellor: Academic Affairs & Research, Prof. Osmund Mwandemele and Dr. Kenneth Matengu, UNAM Director External and International Relations.
The research commision, as the authority responsible for coordination and development of research, science, technology and innovation, has given researchers from the University of Namibia grants for a total of seventeen research projects to the value of over N$ 3 million over the period of two years, 2013/14 and 2014/15.
“Our partnership with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology is critical because they recognise and appreciate the quality research and leadership of the University of Namibia, as most of the senior management of the Commission are products of UNAM.
We congratulate all researchers who were awarded a grant today and encourage you to do your work around improving governance, products and services that will impact the Namibian nation”, said UNAM Pro-Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Research, Prof. Osmund Mwandemele
The grants were awarded to successful Namibian researchers and scientists in partnership with South African researchers from institutions of higher learning.
The UNAM researchers had to submitted project proposals to the commission for funding under the Namibia/South Africa Bilateral Collaboration Research Programme. The commission, shortly after if was inaugurated as a government agency, issued a call for proposals to fund research at tertiary institutions.
“The number of proposals submitted under this call, showed us the serious interest and potential of research in Namibia.
We are thus more committed to our mandate of strengthening research and development that will promote innovative products and services.” Said the commisssion’s Manager: Resource Mobilization and Grant Management, Mrs Alushe Nditya.
The purpose of the call for research proposals was to provide opportunities for joint, collaborative research between researchers in Namibia and South Africa, to establish the foundation for building a critical mass of researchers and scientific capacity for both countries.
The submitted research proposals cover Biosciences (with focus on food, agriculture and health technologies), Space Science (with emphasis on astronomy and earth observation), Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Mathematical sciences, Mineral Resources (with focus value addition), Laser Sciences, and Energy (with emphasis on renewable energy and efficiency).
