1PIRNEWS

Planning & International Relations ▶ Elizabeth Haus ▶ Tel: +264 61 2072015 email: bbamm@polytechnic.edu.na

Polytechnic taps into Ethiopian Institute

of Architecture Knowledge

Hilma Amwele: From an

Agriculturalist to a Scientist

Polytechnic of Namibia: Planning and International Relations Department

Newsletter 2013 ▶ AUGUST Issue

Loic Moukouri:The Mastermind behind the 18th Polytechnic Cultural Festival

Polytechnic, Flensburg and Wardolf in a Tripartite Agreement

25The number of international exchange students on campus for the 2nd Semester

https://www.facebook.com/Planning.and.International.

Relations

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The Scholarships are an important element in Britain’s public diplomacy effort and bring young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK.

All applications must be made through ‘eChevening’, the global online Chevening Scholarship application system. Guidance for applicants and a link to eChevening will be available on www.chevening.org.

eChevening Opens: 1 September 2013

eChevening closes: 15 November 2013

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When Hilma Amwele left Namibia for Thailand to pursue her doctoral studies in 2010, she could not have imagined the adventure and challenges that awaited her. Leaving behind her Rangeland Management and Animal Husbandry students, she enrolled at Khon Kaen University (KKU) to pursue her doctorate in Aquaculture, focusing on toxicology of aquatic animals. Amwele had never travelled to Asia before, but she could not let an opportunity to advance her education pass by.

Amwele and two other Polytechnic staff members were granted scholarships by Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and embarked on their studies at KKU.

She describes the first few months in Thailand as “very difficult,” especially in terms of cultural interaction. While there were other international students she could commiserate with, she felt isolated as there were only four Africans at the university and her two Polytechnic colleagues left after one year. She also faced some turbulence in terms of her funding, having to appeal to various organisations and institutions for additional funds to enable her to carry out her research experiments. One of her appeals bore fruit and the Namibian Council for Higher Education (NCHE), through motivation from Polytechnic, granted her US$15,000 to cover her research over the three year period.

“I am very grateful to the NCHE for their assistance. KKU is strictly a research institution, and if I could not conduct research I would not have been able to finish my studies” says Amwele.

Despite the isolation, culture shock, and financial shortages she faced, Amwele speaks positively of her

academic experience in Thailand. “I really appreciated my time at KKU. The quality of education I received is very good. They teach you the whole concept thoroughly. They even translated course materials into English for me” she says. Shifting from Agricultural Management dealing with Land Animals to Aquaculture with a focus on Toxicology of Aquatic animals was not simple and required Amwele to complete extra course work. The university assisted her in this aspect by providing her with courses in toxicology and laboratory equipment training. They also instilled her with skills to perform histopathological, haematological and water analysis. With this extra effort from the university and guidance from her supervisors, Amwele was transformed from an Agriculturalist to a Scientist.

Regarding the role her supervisors played in her studies, Amwele says, “in a doctoral program the relationship with your supervisor can mean the difference between completing and not completing your studies. I was fortunate to have Professors Rakpong Petkam, Kanit Chukanhom, Fredrick Henry Beamish, and Chvieemas Bonthai Iwai as my supervisors.”

Amwele has completed the first step of being a full doctoral graduate of KKU. In early 2013 she finished writing her thesis and has successfully defended it. She managed to publish and present her first paper at an international conference in Cambodia. All that remains is for her to publish one scientific article in an international peer reviewed journal and then she will be fully graduated.

Looking back on her long struggle through the doctoral process, she reflected on what she learned outside the classroom. Saying she learned a lot about herself and that the challenges she faced during her time in Thailand have made her stronger. “Above all, I learned how to deal with people and how important it is to care about other people” she adds.

Amwele also had some advice for her Polytechnic colleagues who might be considering furthering their studies to the doctorate level:

Be clear about your goals and motivations.Always heed your PhD supervisor’s advice on academic mattersConsider how you can use the skills gained to contribute to the development of NamibiaDon’t be afraid and just put your best effort into your studies.

Amwele has returned to her Animal Husbandry and Range Land Management courses not just as a more educated lecturer, but as a leader with a desire to apply her newly acquired knowledge and skills for the betterment of the institution. Her short term vision is to extend the partnership between KKU and the Polytechnic beyond scholarships to include capacity building in Soil Science and joint research and publications. Amwele also hopes to form new partnerships to develop the field of Eco-Toxicology in Namibia.

Hilma Amwele: From an Agriculturalist to a Scientist

High Achiever: Hilma Amwele

My short term vision is to extend the partnership between KKU and the Polytechnic to include capacity building in Soil

Science, joint research and publications... Hilma Amwele

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Polytechnic taps into Ethiopian Institute of Architecture Knowledge

The Architecture Department at the Polytechnic of Namibia is one of the youngest and most vibrant departments at the institution with its Head of Department (HOD) continuing to illustrate his innovative goals for the department.

The HOD, Dr Sampson Umenne, recently had a fruitful collaboration discussion with the Head of the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture Building Construction and City Development (EiBC), Prof Dr Gerhard Albert during his visit to the Polytechnic.

He said future collaboration efforts between the two institutions were discussed resulting in the signing of an MOU.

“We have applied for DAAD funding to facilitate the exchange of staff and students for a period of four years”, the excited Dr Umenne revealed.

He said it was also agreed that as part of the activities stipulated in the MOU, Prof Albert will be visiting the Polytechnic as a landscape expert for a period of 18 months commencing October 2014.

During his time at the Polytechnic, Prof Albert will assist the Department to achieve its strategic goals by launching a Masters program in Architecture by 2015.Back Row: Dr Paul Makasa (PON senior lecturer),

Dr Sampson Umenne (HOD), Ms Taimi Itembu (IRO) Seated: Prof Dr Gerhard Albert (EiBC), Prof Tjama Tjivikua (Rector)

The Polytechnic of Namibia continues its proactiveness when it held its first collaboration meeting to discuss its role in creating a globally competitive skill base in Namibia through Vocational Education Training (VET).

The collaboration includes three parties, mainly the University of Flensburg, Waldorf School Windhoek and the Polytechnic of Namibia.

Recently, a Flensburg University delegation consisting of Dr Horst Biedermann: Director for the Centre for Teacher Education, Prof Willi Peterson: Director of Vocational Education Teacher,

Prof Wolfgang and Mr Hans-Peter Seeger the Executive Manager at Waldorf School in Windhoek held discussions at the Polytechnic with the Head of Department of the Vocational Training Programme, Mr Stephanus van Staden.

In-depth discussions deliberated on new thinking approaches about VET in Namibia that take into account relevance, innovation, policies and Namibia’s development needs.

The envisaged tripartite agreement to be signed soon will entail cooperation in VET and research.

In this regard, the three institutions agreed to cooperate in assessments, moderations, joint curricular development and the exchange of staff.

Polytechnic, Flensburg University and Wardolf in a Tripartite Agreement

Dr Wolfgang Schulz; Mr Stephanus van Staden; Mr Hans-Peter Seeger; Ms Theodora Nandjaa-Mweuta; Prof Dr A Willi Petersen; Prof Dr Horst Biedermann;

Mr Frieder Münz (Senior Expert)

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Hailing from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, Loic Verges Moukouri is a fourth year Accounting and Finance student and the Coordinator of the 18th Polytechnic Cultural Festival that took place from 12-18 August 2013.

This year marked the third year of Mr Moukouri’s involvement in the preparations for the biggest event on campus. In previous years, he served in the organising committees as head of sports in 2010 and head of finance in 2011. His prior experience and knowledge of how the festival committees function provided him with a major advantage during the interviews to select the coordinator for the 18th Cultural Festival. The interviews were conducted by the Dean of Students and members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and out of seven finalists, Moukouri emerged victorious.

“Coordinating the cultural festival was a great experience and a privilege, especially since I am an international student” reflects Moukouri. He says the most challenging part was getting the committees to be productive and put their personal interests aside in favour of what’s best for students. He spoke proudly of how during the planning of this year’s festival they incorporated the lessons learned from past festivals to thwart problems. For example, contracts for singers and bands were revised to stipulate penalties for tardiness and arriving inebriated. Another improvement upon previous festivals was the arrangement to have Windhoek City Police present during and after musical performances for crowd control. Moukouri credits this proactive thinking during the planning

stages with the success of the festival, saying “everything went exactly as we planned and the attendance for this festival was the best I’ve seen since I have been here.”

While he enjoyed leading the preparations for the festival, he says they took up a large portion of his schedule and required him to balance his responsibilities as the Coordinator with his studies and other extra-curricular engagements.

Moukouri is also the President of the Polytechnic International Students Association and an active member of the Debating and Accounting Societies. Nonetheless, he values his experience as the Coordinator, saying “I learned to manage people and control my emotions during the frustrating times.”

As an international student, Moukouri’s role in successfully coordinating the cultural festival is indeed an achievement, considering the relative quietness of international students on campus this year.

Moukouri encourages fellow international students to get more involved in activities on campus and says that “they shouldn’t feel like they can’t because they are international students.”

With Moukouri’s graduation coming up in April 2014, one can only hope others will step up.

After graduation he plans to further his studies and perhaps get involved in politics at an international level which shouldn’t be too difficult considering his fluency in English, French and Spanish.

Loic Moukouri: The Mastermind behind the 18th

Polytechnic Cultural Festival

Coordinating the cultural festival was a great

experience and a privilege, especially since I am an international student...

Fun Facts about Loic Moukouri:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

Travel destination: Marseille

Movie: Snakes on a Plane

Actress & Actor: Kerry Washington & Samuel L Jackson

Restaurant: La Gourmet (in Paris, France)

Dish: Cassava leaf

Subject: Accounting

Public Figure: Donald Trump

Book: Le Incroyable Destine

Role Model: Didiere Drogba

Quote: “The fear of failure is never a reason not to try something”

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OpinionThe Polytechnic of Namibia is the most proactive institution in Namibia when it comes to international exchange for outgoing Namibian students. Although this doctrine contributes to the quality of globally competent students, can one expect such “opportunities” to lead to a “brain drain” crisis?

Better known as skills emigration, the “brain drain” is a prominent focus topic in Africa. Given the continent’s colonial history, African governments emerged as independent states with an inadequate skills base. This led to heavy investments in education, which meant and still means sponsoring the brightest students for advanced training and education overseas.

This strategy seemed to pay off. According to Crush and Campbell (2007), the skills base of many countries expanded rapidly and the majority of locally trained citizens were absorbed into the public and private sectors.

Concern grew when an increasing number of students sent overseas stopped returning home and began new lives elsewhere. It is noted that 49% of African immigrants to the USA aged 25 and above have a Bachelors Degree or higher qualification, compared to 33% of Europeans, 45% of Asians, 6% of Central Americans and 25% of South Americans (Crush and Campbell 2007).

This leads to the continued outcry by critics noting that “the emigration

of African professionals to the West is one of the greatest obstacles to Africa’s development”. Namibia cannot achieve long-term economic growth by exporting our human resources. In a world of globalisation, innovation and competition, economic growth is driven by people with knowledge.

When we talk about poverty alleviation in Africa, the question remains, who is going to alleviate poverty? Therefore it remains important that talent is retained, because ultimately it is the most talented that will lead the people, create wealth and minimise poverty.

How does this relate to Namibia and the Polytechnic? Despite the recorded low levels of Namibians emigrating, Namibia could face a future brain drain, given the recent studies which indicate the interest amongst Namibia’s future professionals in leaving the country after graduation.

The major contributors to the brain drain include, low salaries, the struggling education system, nepotism, glass ceilings and the lack of growth opportunities for young professionals and the mature office holders clinching on for 20 years to top positions.

It is frightening to witness the amount of money spent annually to employ Western experts for technical assistance when the same amount of money could be spent on African experts to retain skilled people in the country.

The contradiction is that Namibia spends millions of dollars annually to recruit and pay hundreds of expatriates to work in the country but fails to spend a proportional amount to recruit Namibian professionals now working outside the country. The same goes for the continent, where professionals working in Africa are paid considerably less than qualified expatriates.

Lessons such as this provide a platform for the Polytechnic of Namibia to increase its human capital development programmes and to give incentives to encourage its faculty and alumni who are given an opportunity to study abroad to return after their studies.

The other option for the institution is to benchmark its quality of education, teaching and learning practices with the best international institutions available in the market. That could lead to Namibian solutions by Namibians. When quality is brewed at home, this will encourage the industry to focus on Namibian experts vs international experts and most of all, create a platform for young professionals to have faith in the career prospects in the country.

Nationalism vs Internationalism

In a world of globalisation, innovation and competition, economic growth is driven by people with knowledge.

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Higher Education Institutions: bringing the world together

What role do Higher Education Institutions (HEI) play in the relationship between nations? Is there a role for higher education in international relations and diplomacy?

Over the years, countries have exhausted their international relations efforts by focusing mainly on government treaties, business and trade negotiations with education often left in the background.

Can one argue that HEIs are legitimate sources of soft power? Are governments purposeful in using HEIs as instruments of public affairs and diplomacy? It is indeed broadly recognized that universities and colleges are facilitators in the movement of large numbers of individuals between nations and most importantly, between cultures. With most countries wanting to boast of a globally competitive human capital, HEIs provide an important function as centers of foreign-languages, area studies, and intercultural appreciation.

The activities, inbound and outbound of faculty and students, development projects, and the signing of MOUs are now daily tasks for HEIs. These activities represent the creation of cross border enterprises, bilateral, multinational and this confirms that colleges and universities are at the center of international relations.

Moreover, it is not just that higher education increasingly transcends national borders; it is also the type of activity in which these

institutions engage that can affect international relations. In addition to educating students, their service and research work may also support the development of other influential actors. For example, institutions in Africa are the facilitators of sustainable development projects, engaging communities nationally and internationally.

Colleges and universities also provide consultancies in the creation and evolution of foreign educational institutions. To drive the point home, the Polytechnic of Namibia’s Engineering School was built on the foundation of international relations from curriculum development, staff support and degree advancements.

Most European HEIs today are constantly

seeking partners in Africa and elsewhere to

internationally expose their students through

work intergrated learning and study

abroad opportunities.All over the world, indications are clear that HEIs nowadays have extensive international engagements and are facilitating the creation of global connections between nations. In fact, these educational institutions have become the new sources of financial investment for foreign nations, both developed and developing.

by Taimi Itembu

PIR donates to Megameno Orphanage HomeThe Department of Planning and International Relations (PIR) reached out to the community by donating various goods to Megameno Orphanage Home, based in Shandumbala, Katutura recently.

Chriszelda Tlhabanello, PIRs Administrative Officer said, “We decided to bless the Megameno Orphanage Home with some bed linen, bathroom sets, pillows and curtains, a gesture much appreciated by the orphanage”.

Maria Shaalukeni, owner of the orphanage, was over the moon when she received the goods on behalf of the children and staff, and said the donation came at the right time, especially the curtains because some of the children’s rooms had none.

The Megameno team consists of four women who assist with the washing and cooking at the orphanage, where a total of 23 children between the ages of 1 and 16 years are being cared for. Apart from the donated goods, the PIR team also prepared soup and delivered it to the orphanage at the same occasion.