Established in 1994 as the Institute of Higher Education, by Hon Prof. David Richard Namwandi, the university was officially launched as the first private university in Namibia on 26th October 2002 by the then state president of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dr. Sam Shafiishuna  Nujoma .  From humble beginnings with only one student, IUM has since grown into one of the top universities in Namibia, Today, IUM has a student population of more than 19 200 students from all over Namibia, African countries, and beyond.

The university is fully accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).