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VOTING for new student representative councils (SRCs) for the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) is in full swing.

The Unam polls opened on Monday and will close today, while the Nust elections also started on Monday and end on Friday. Both elections are taking place online at campuses countrywide.

Current Unam SRC officer for sports George Nghaamwa said all Unam campuses around the country are having elections.

Nust SRC liaison for external affairs Martha Ambambi said the council is there to represent all students registered within the university.

“We deal with registration, academics and we are the voice of the students,” she said.

Ambabi said at least 80% of the students are expected to vote, and the elections are open to all students.

“The voting link has been sent to students and they enter their student number and kiosk password. Students are expected to vote only once,” she said. Commenting on the importance and effectiveness of SRCs, the current Unam SRC officer for information and publicity, Elina Nghiyonanye, said the student council gives members a platform to offer advice on the development of academic programmes and student-learning experiences.

Nghiyonanye added that the council takes up issues with the top management to ensure that students’ voices are heard and issues are resolved.

“The student representative council also helps in maintaining discipline among the students of different lectures maintaining the suitable atmosphere of the entire system,” she said.

Nghiyonanye said the council also encourages the formation and successful management of students’ cultural, social, sporting and education groups.

Nghaamwa emphasised the importance of the council, noting that it provides for and promotes students’extra-curricular activities and social events. “Upon forming objectives, as members of the student representative council for the University of Namibia main campus, we strive to accomplish these obligations to ensure the effectiveness of the council,” he said.

Nghaamwa said the SRC is the voice of the students and represents all students’ views on academic and experience-related issues to the university.

“This does not only give students the forum to air their views, but it also gives the university a platform to provide valuable feedback when planning for the future,”he said.

Nghaamwa added: “From among the elected members of the SRC, the leaders and other representatives are selected. Student leaders elected into office have to carry out their mandate to uphold the effectiveness of the SRC at the University of Namibia.”

The current Unam SRC representative for community development and gender affairs Tuarirovangu Kasirua said the body also helps and supports the delivery of effective and efficient student support around campus.

“The councils help us participate in institutional decision-making structures, as well as advising and supporting the delivery of effective and efficient student support services,” she said.

Kasirua said the council also promotes and advocates the interests and welfare of all students.