KHARAS - Aletha Frederick, Governor of Kharas, emphasized the significance of academic dialogue in shaping sustainable economic development strategies during the University of Namibia's faculty of commerce, management, and law research symposium. The event, held under the theme 'Economic recovery and resilience', focused on leveraging academic research to inform policymaking. According to Frederick, research provides a crucial foundation for understanding economic recovery and resilience, offering empirical evidence and theoretical insights for effective strategy formulation. She underscored the role of research in addressing challenges in economies aiming for recovery and sustainability, particularly in areas like inclusive growth and economic resilience. According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Frederick also pointed out the importance of collaboration among government bodies, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in fostering economic recovery and resilience. Highlighting the impact of recent challenges such as prolonged droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a 7.9 percent decline in Namibia's GDP in 2020, she stressed the need for immediate action to regain lost ground and advance towards thriving, inclusive communities. The symposium served as a platform for exchanging ideas and solutions, with various speakers, including UNAM executive dean for commerce, Jacob Nyambe, who advocated for cost-effective, problem-solving academic programs. Nyambe's remarks reinforced the university's commitment to addressing societal issues through academic research and dialogue.