During two weeks in September, Dr West and other international experts served on an academic review panel for the Namibian National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) to review three programmes offered by the University of Namibia (UNAM). Other members of the review panel included Prof Charles M. Nherera from the University of Zimbabwe, Dr Aggrey Asitiba Okutu from Kiisi University, Kenya, Ms Ehrenfriede Mukungu from the Namibia Qualifications Authority and two industry representatives, Ms Bertha Haimbodi from the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and Mr Kensie Kazaronga from the Ministry of Basic Education.

The main purpose of the academic programme review was to assess the quality of the proposed Bachelor of Education for Early Childhood and Junior Primary, Senior and Secondary education programmes for accreditation purposes. The three programmes under review were not new programmes but had been revised as part of the University of Namibia’s transformation process, which started in 2019. The review panel had to validate self-evaluation reports (SERs) drafted by UNAM against the NCHE’s criteria for programme accreditation. The panel also visited five UNAM campuses and conducted interviews with various stakeholders at the University, such as the academic staff, administrative staff, support staff, campus management and senior management of the school (i.e., Faculty) of Education.

The review panel also had to investigate various documents and policies of the University and evaluate the physical and visual facilities at the various UNAM campuses. Finally, the review panel had to provide feedback on their findings at each campus, write a report on each programme and do a presentation to the NCHE management on their final day. Dr West described this experience as ‘enlightening’. According to her, it was a wonderful way to connect and establish a long-lasting relationship with another African university.