The International University of Management (IUM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 05 July 11, 2018 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish long-term cooperation focusing on the provision of evidence-based policymaking as well as building capacity at the university to undertake relevant research in the area of sustainable development.

This marks the second MoU that UNDP has with academic institutions, following the first being signed last year with the University of Namibia (UNAM) and a third one in the pipeline with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).

In his remarks, the IUM acting the signing Vice-Chancellor Professor Kingo Mchombu stated that the idea of the MoU was first proposed last year when it became evident both parties had many areas of mutual interest but there was no formal agreement for cooperation between them. Furthermore, he said that they agreed to develop a research agenda for generating evidence for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prioritisation in Namibia in partnership with IUM, the government, private sector and civil society.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Izumi Morota-Alakija, noted that the agreement is a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between IUM and UNDP. “For years, UNDP has partnered with academia and directed their focus and expertise on evidence-based research.”

“This understanding is founded on mutual areas of support and is aimed at building capacity for IUM to provide research and analysis on developmental issues that are key and that touch upon the economic, social and environmental challenges. Now is the right moment to strengthen our cooperation and enhance our research dialogue,” Morota-Alakija said.

In this context, she said, the MoU brings their work in line with the goals and targets set out in the fifth National Development Plan (NDP 5) of Namibia as well as the global 17 SDGs, which talk about strengthening the means of implementation and revitalisation of partnerships for the goals.

The expected key outcomes of the MoU will include evidence-based research and analytical ‘peer reviewed’ products or papers; paper contributions to, and participation in the national processes for SDG reporting; organization (by co-hosting) of events such as conferences, dialogues, round tables and workshops on critical issues that focus on the social, economic and environmental dimensions of development; and contributions to the National Human Development Report, and other UNDP strategic policy or position papers.