Abstract:
This research aimed at exploring the Namibian public universities stakeholders’ views
on the implementation of the National Qualification Framework (NQF). Various related
studies have confirmed that many higher educational institutions globally face
challenges in implementing quality frameworks. However, there is less attention in the
literature on how Namibian public universities are responding to the demands and
challenges in implementing the National Qualification Framework. This research
collected data on stakeholders’ experiences of the implementation of the NQF in
Namibia. This research was done as a qualitative case study that investigated the two
selected public universities, namely the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the
Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST). It employed threetechniques of data collection, namely: individual interviews, a focus group interview,
and document analysis. In this study, the City University Quality Assurance Model
assisted in advocating the question of factors that lead to the effective implementation
of the quality assurance framework in higher education. Findings of this study revealed
some participants having a narrow understanding of what the NQF really means,
particularly participants from the categories of students. However, most of the
participants, including Students Representative Committee (SRC) participants from
the category of the student focus group discussion viewed NQF as a quality guide to
academics, students, and anyone interested in quality education. However, some of
the participants do not understand what NQF is all about. Lack of finance and political
will, particularly from the state, are also some of the shortcomings facing public
institutions causing ineffectiveness in implementing the National Qualifications
Framework policy at Public Universities in Namibia.
