Completed project · 2018–2019
Developing vocational education and training research in Namibia
Problem statement: Namibia is one of the countries with very high inequality and very high youth unemployment of over 50%. The National Development Plan (NDP5) names the improvement of vocational training structures as the central instrument for reducing inequality, enabling employment and strengthening the local economy. However, knowledge about the strengths, weaknesses and development needs of the VET system is very limited, as there is no established VET research. Objectives: The project aims to build structures for developing expertise in Namibia.
Research question: How can the development of knowledge be secured sustainably?
Development approach: VET at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is to be strengthened by establishing a VET institute.
Results: Two VET degree programmes were developed, accredited and institutionalised. In parallel, research and development workshops on ‘Science Capacity Building in VET’ took place. On this foundation, the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training was founded and set up at NUST in 2019.