NUST launches first management PhD

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has introduced the country’s first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management Sciences programme, marking a major milestone for doctoral education in Namibia.

Offered through the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business (HPGSB), the programme positions NUST as the only institution in the country to offer doctoral-level training in this field. NUST said the programme responds directly to the national need for advanced, locally grounded research to inform leadership practice and sustainable economic growth.

The PhD allows candidates to pursue research specialisations across several disciplines, including project management, leadership and change management, risk management, and management information Systems.

Professor Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku, director of research at HPGSB and programme coordinator, said the introduction of the PhD reflects both institutional maturity and national responsibility.

“This programme is designed to produce scholars and senior practitioners who can generate high-impact research that speaks directly to Namibia’s development realities. By growing advanced management research locally, we are strengthening leadership capacity and contributing meaningfully to sustainable and ethical socio-economic development,” Atiku said.

NUST said the programme targets academics, senior executives, and mid-career professionals across the public and private sectors who seek to combine scholarly depth with practical relevance. The university said the qualification supports national priorities in human capacity development for Industry 5.0 and is aligned with Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan.

Applicants must hold a recognised Master’s qualification at NQF Level 9 or equivalent and provide evidence of a supervised Master’s research project. NUST said that applications close this Friday, 27 February 2026.