Directorate of Student Affairs
The Directorate for Student Affairs (DSA) has TWO departments, each with several sections under it. These departments are:
Student Support Services and Residences
- Accommodation
The University of Namibia boasts hostel facilities at all its campuses. The facilities are managed by the Directorate for Student Affairs, under its Hostel Section, run by hostel superintends, hostel matrons and the Housing Committee headed by the SRC Accommodation. The University offers the most affordable student accommodation in town with the closest proximity to all the academic facilities such as the library, labs and lecturing facilities. As the custodian of student welfare, the Directorate of Student Affairs has included a breakfast meal as part of the hostel fee package making sure that all hostel students are well catered for before they embark on their academic day.
The University also boasts student meal outlets and dining halls around its campuses to make sure that our students are well looked after during their stay at the institution. The DSA has coined the word Home-Away-From- Home as part of its effort in making sure that hostel students and the entire student populace do not feel the difference between their homes and the University as a second home.
- Governance and Leadership
- Culture and Sports
- Legal and Compliance
Career Services & Student Experiences
The Career Services & Student Experience is a section within the Directorate of Student Affairs at the University of Namibia.
All University students have the right of service to the different professional services offered by the Career Services & Student Experience section. These free services can be accessed through self, lecturer, friends and parental referrals.
The Career Services & Student Experience section offers individual, group counselling sessions on wellness, academic, career and psycho-social support to all University students.
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Academic Counselling
The Academic Counselling sub-section provides students with academic skills to increase their success rate. Its’ services and programmes are designed to encourage students to be focused on their studies. The academic success programme, academic seminars interspersed during the course of a semester and the drop-in examination preparation sessions that precede the examinations are organised by an Academic Counsellor (Clinical Psychologist).
Academic counselling is a major support to the faculties and other university structures that deal with students’ admission and performances. The aim is to equip students and provide them with tools for personal and academic growth or functioning which are beneficial to personal growth and development.
The Clinical Psychologists/Academic Counsellors on a regular basis handle student cases related to either: anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depressive disorders, bipolar mood disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use and dependency, psychotic disorders as well as academic problems such as motivation and concentration and any other psychological challenges.
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Career & Special Programmes
This sub-section provides a wide range of career development and student recruitment services that support students with their career planning as well as enhancing their job-related skills.
In addition, the sub-section works closely with potential employers to facilitate employment and internship opportunities for students. The aim is to connect students to their future employers and assist them to acquire relevant employment skills through vacation jobs, attachments or work-integrated learning as well as part-time employment for students within the University, public and private sectors. The subsection is also responsible for student recruitment through aggressive marketing of UNAM programmes to local schools through school visits and career fairs.
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Psychosocial Counselling Services
The Psychosocial Counselling sub-unit provides professional support and counselling to students experiencing personal, social and life challenges that at times derail them from their academic journeys. At this sub-unit, students are assisted to regain proper focus and stability fast and are equipped with the necessary skills to deal with traumatic events.
This includes adjustment challenges, homesickness and loneliness, social skills, self-esteem, confidence building, individuation from parents and being away from home, loss and bereavement, trauma and crisis intervention, rape, sexual assault and harassment, HIV/AIDS counselling, sexual identity and orientation, addiction issues, relationship issues and family problems.
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Health & Medical Services
These services are consolidated into the UNAM Primary Healthcare Facility that deals with diverse students’ health-related issues.
The service is dedicated to helping students maintain their health status as well as assisting them on how to make the right life choices while pursuing their academic goals. This entails birth control education, drugs prevention education and broad health education campaigns such as malaria, TB, cancer and HIV/AIDS prevention education at all campuses.
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Disability Services
The disability services desk provides and supports students with disabilities and special needs.
It offers a range of support services to enable students with disabilities and special needs to cope and operate in the University environment. The sub-section further aims to create a conducive and enabling environment to empower students with disabilities and special needs to achieve their full potential through awareness creation and integration into campus life.
Online Services
Even when off-campus, students can access the divisions’ services online.
Simply complete and submit an online service form, and one of the team members will be in touch.
Confidentiality
Students’ privacy, dignity, and confidentiality are very important to us.
In accordance with professional ethics, national regulations and laws, any information shared in the context of professional counselling is considered confidential, and generally cannot be disclosed to anyone outside of the University counselling centre.
- Psychosocial Counselling
- Academic Counselling
- Disability Counselling services
- Career and Special Programmes
- Health and Medical Services