Research is an integral part of the curricula of both the pharmacy and medical degree programs at the University of Namibia (UNAM) School of Medicine (SOM). Early in their career students identify research projects and pursue them within the context of their degree program. At a fundamental level these projects expose students to the scientific method and encourage the development of analytical and interpretative tools that will be important in their professional lives. The inclusion of research as a subject significantly aligns the institutions’ research agenda with the health needs of the country. Research at UNAM SOM, within both the medicine and pharmacist degree programs, aims to nurture self-directed learning within an inter-professional milieu.