• NUST launched 11 new programs from bachelor’s to PhD level in digital and quantitative fields, with enrollment open until February 4, 2026.
• The university introduced Namibia’s first honours bachelor’s degree in actuarial science under the national qualifications framework.
• The initiative aligns with Namibia’s higher-education reform, including tuition-free public universities starting in the 2026 academic year.

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) launched eleven new academic programs, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral level, to address skills gaps in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, data science, and actuarial studies. Cindy van Wyk, the university’s spokesperson, announced the decision on January 26, in a statement relayed by the local press. The university opened enrollment for these new programs until February 4, 2026.

The new academic offer includes bachelor’s degrees in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, and digital forensics. The university also introduced, for the first time in Namibia, an honours bachelor’s degree in actuarial science at Level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

“These programs aim to equip graduates with advanced skills in analytics, computing, and problem-solving to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding digital economy,” Ms. van Wyk said.

This initiative comes amid a persistent mismatch between available skills and labor market needs. An Afrobarometer report published in 2024 showed that more than four in ten young people aged 18 to 35 remain unemployed or actively seeking work, despite rising levels of post-secondary education.

The announcement also fits into Namibia’s broader higher-education modernization drive. In April 2025, the government formalized tuition-free public university education for eligible students starting from the 2026 academic year, as part of a tertiary education financing reform based on a subsidized model. The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) said the reform aims to align funding mechanisms with national priorities “to expand access to higher education through a sustainable and quality-focused approach.”

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM