Windhoek – African universities should distinguish themselves through the quality and quantity of scholarly publications and research they conduct.

This was said by Professor Lazarus Angula, Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia (UNAM), at the launch of the Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences in Windhoek a fortnight ago.

The launch of the “Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences” coincided with other celebrations to mark UNAM’s 20th anniversary.

Most of the contributors are from UNAM, while others are from the Polytechnic of Namibia, the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

The editorial board comprises UNAM professors and their colleagues from South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United States. Prof Jairos Kangira is the chief editor.

UNAM Vice Chancellor, Prof Angula, said, “... we at UNAM have decided that at least 30 to 40 percent of the work of an academic member of staff should be devoted to research and related activities, while 60 percent of the workload is devoted to teaching and guiding students.”

Journal chief editor, Prof Kangira, said their main objective was to show the importance of humanities and social sciences to personal and national development.

“It is common knowledge in academia that without research and publication one cannot grow academically. Without research and publication one remains on the periphery of the academic discourse community.”

He urged academics and researchers to seize the opportunity and submit their papers for possible publication.

The journal will help the university accomplish the promotion of multi-disciplinary research and scholarly communication and debate across the human sciences disciplines.

It will also enable UNAM to give students and the general public access to the scholarly and intellectual output of the faculty.