National Council, Nust ink research deal The National Council and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) have signed an agreement to cooperate in research.The purpose of this agreement is to deepen the understanding of scientific, technological, historical, social, economic and political issues and to strengthen the bond between the two institutions.
The chairperson of the National Council, Margaret Mensah-Williams, said the deal would be beneficial to parliamentarians.
“Unlike other parliaments, members of our parliament do not have access to the expertise available to the executive and solely rely on the parliamentary staff,” she said.
According to her, the agreement would better equip the National Council''s members, committees and staff to carry out their oversight and support functions.
Nust vice-chancellor Tjama Tjivikua said the university would provide services to strengthen the capacity of the National Council''s research and information unit by customising specific training programmes and collaboration in research with emphasis on achieving evidence-based policy impact.
He added that the overall goal was thus to transfer research knowledge that could inform the national decision-making process.
“This agreement tells us that the government of Namibia (in the form of its National Council) recognises that in order to achieve this area of research excellence and innovation need to be identified, encouraged and promoted. It is with more realisation that the notion of creating ''knowledge systems'' within the higher education sphere has converged towards strategically linking research with innovation activities,” said Tjivikua.
JEMIMA BEUKES