About UNAM
Welcome to the University of Namibia (UNAM) – the nation’s flagship public research university, committed to excellence in teaching, research, service, and innovation.
Our Identity & Mission
Founded by Act of Parliament on 31 August 1992, UNAM is a multicampus, public, research-led institution with a mandate to deliver higher education, advance knowledge through research, provide community extension services, and promote social and economic development in Namibia and beyond.
Our mission has grown over time to emphasize global engagement, inclusivity, and responsiveness to national and regional challenges.

Scale & Reach
- Campuses & Centres: UNAM operates across 12 campuses nationwide.
- Faculties & Schools: The University houses 4 main faculties and 17 schools offering a wide array of academic programmes.
- Students & Staff: As of the 2025 reporting cycle, UNAM enrols approximately 26,302 students, with about 63% female and 37% male.
- International Reach: Students hail from over 40 countries, bringing global perspectives to Namibia’s campuses.
Academic Offerings & Research
UNAM provides a broad and evolving portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and continuing-education programmes across natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, social sciences, education, humanities, commerce, law, and beyond.
Research and innovation are central to UNAM’s vision. The University currently hosts over 300 active research projects led by faculty and postgraduate students. Through interdisciplinary centres, labs, and collaborative partnerships, UNAM aims to produce high-impact outputs addressing local, national, continental, and global challenges.
Reputation & Rankings
UNAM is proud to be Namibia’s top-ranked institution in many local and continental standings.
UNAM is the only Namibian university currently ranked by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and achieved 24th place among African universities in the latest Africa-wide assessment.
UNAM has risen in continental rankings, securing 13th place among the THE Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2024.
In the 2025 THE World University Rankings, UNAM is placed in the 1501+ band globally.
These recognitions reflect UNAM’s steady progress in research output, academic reputation, innovation, and international engagement.

Alumni & Impact
Since inception, UNAM has produced over 70,000 graduates serving public, private, and civil sectors across Namibia and beyond. Many alumni hold leadership roles in government, industry, academia, and civil society.
Our graduates and faculty contribute across sectors including health, agriculture, education, law, business, technology, environment, and culture – reinforcing UNAM’s role as a driver of national and regional development, as well as continental and global influence.
UNAM Foundation & Partnerships
The UNAM Foundation, established in 1992, is an independent trust that secures philanthropic support, fosters partnerships, and mobilises resources to strengthen UNAM’s mission.
Through formal collaborations and strategic alliances, UNAM engages with international universities, research institutions, governments, NGOs, and industry to co-design programmes, joint research, student exchanges, capacity building, and technology transfer.
What Lies Ahead
UNAM continues to evolve toward a vision of global relevance and local responsiveness. Our priorities include:
- Deepening regional and global partnerships
- Expanding postgraduate and doctoral capacity
- Strengthening quality assurance and academic excellence
- Enhancing digital infrastructures and e-learning modalities
- Fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry linkage
- Promoting equity, access, and inclusion for historically disadvantaged communities
Key Facts at a Glance
| Metric | Value (2025, approximate) |
|---|---|
| Campuses | 12 campuses nationwide |
| Faculties / Schools | 4 faculties, 17 schools |
| Enrolled students | ~26,302 |
| Student gender ratio | 63% female : 37% male |
| African ranking (THE/Sub-Saharan) | 13th place |
| National standing (EduRank) | #1 in Namibia |

