IUM on track with building

BUILDING plans for the new campus of the International University of Management (IUM) in Dorado Park are back on track, after a temporary halt in construction due to heavy rains earlier in the year.

The groundbreaking of the building took place in August last year, and to date, the foundations have been set, concrete laid, and pillars erected. The university, currently housed in town, has 2 200 students, and the new campus, which is expected to be completed early next year, has a price tag of about N$150 million.The Namibian accompanied the IUM’s Vice Chancellor and Founder, Dr David Namwandi, last week on a site visit to the premises. Coincidentally, the Vice General Manager of China Jianxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation in China, Huang Xinhua, was also conducting a visit at the time. He is in the country from China to view the progress the Namibian branch is making.The Corporation is the mother body of China Jianxi International Namibia, which has landed several Government construction tenders in Namibia, including the construction of some of the regional assembly offices.Xinhua expressed his happiness at being able to build the IUM campus, which he said would serve as a model for future projects, and noted the important role of education in development. ‘In China, we have a saying that it can take ten years to plant and grow a tree, but 100 years to develop a person. This institution will help a lot,’ he said.Namwandi expressed delight at the progress made since he had last visited the site, emphasising the need for a quality job in the construction of the campus, which will feature a three-storey building comprising a large library, offices and classrooms, as well as a hostel.’Namibia’s relationship with China comes a long way, and we are happy that you are helping us to develop the country, and also transferring technology and skills to our people so that later we can stand on our own,’ Namwandi stated.nangula@namibian.com.na