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• Rated Best Higher Education Institution in Namibia (PMR 2014, 201 5, 2016, 2017)
Namibia University of Science and Technology
• Rated Most Innovative Institution in Namibia (PMR 2014, 2016)
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NUST BRIEF
@NUST_Namibia website: www.nust.na
Official weekly newsletter of NUST
09 March 2018
EU funds indigenous languages research project The Department of Communication in the Faculty of Human Sciences at NUST received about N$3.5 million (€ 250 000) from the European Union (EU). The funding is for a major research project under the topic “Democracy and Human Rights.” The main objective of the 3-year project is the revitalisition of indigenous languages to preserve culture. The research will focus on Oshiwambo, Otjiherero and KhoeKhoe languages with the aim to protect, preserve and promote the culture of Namibian indigenous groups. Some of the specific objectives include: to increase cultural awareness of Owambo, Ovaherero and San cultural expressions and languages in Namibia; to increase institutional capacity on indigenous cultures and languages; and to ensure indigenous cultures and languages become an integral part of the developmental agenda of the government.
of Communication, is leading the research. She highlighted that the three language groups were chosen because they cover a large part of the Namibian population. However, after successful completion of this action, NUST intends to upscale it to eventually cover all language groups.
During the kick-off meeting, on 23 February 2018, the Ambassador of the European Union to Namibia, Her Excellency Jana Hybaskova, explained that the project is funded under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and it is addressing one of the priorities of the EU Human Rights and Democracy Strategy for Namibia, the promotion of social, economic and cultural rights. Dr Sarala Krishnamurthy, of the Department
Through these activities, the project hopes to be able to bring about greater responsiveness in society by advocating for the inclusion of the preservation of local culture in national policy documents.
The team, which includes other researchers from the Department, namely Dr Haileleul Woldemariam, Dr Nkosinothando Mpofu and Jeanne Hunter, intends to travel to four regions in the country to collect cultural expressions.
The research team will involve key stakeholders, through an Advisory Committee, consisting of UNESCO, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and other stakeholders.
Ambassador of the European Union to Namibia, Her Excellency Jana Hybaskova (centre) pictured with staff from the EU Delegation, NUST and other Civil Society Organisations implementing EU-funded projects on Human Rights.
2018 NUST CAREER FAIR This year’s NUST Career Fair will take place on 14 and 15 March 2018. The Fair provides a unique opportunity to students and learners to engage the corporate world. It allows young minds to explore the possibilities in career paths and gives companies, government and Non-Governmental Organisations a glimpse into the expectations of professionals, thus allowing them to tailor their recruiting methods according to the needs of their potential future employees. ENQUIRIES: Michael Kisting T: 061 207 2271 E:
[email protected] OR Susan Dietlik T: 061 207 2070 E:
[email protected]
Student recruitment drive FROM LEFT: Victor Ashikoto, ICT Executive: Namibia Ports Authority; Dr Anicia Peters, Dean: Faculty of Computing and Informatics; Her Excellency Pirkko-Liisa Kyöstilä: Ambassador of Finland to Namibia; Dr Tjama Tjivikua, NUST Vice-Chancellor; Honourable Faustina Caley, Member of Parliament; Dr Heike WinschiersTheophilus, Faculty of Computing and Informatics; and Jan Cotzee, Founder: Headway Consulting.
Tech innovation hub launched at NUST The Inclusive Collaborative Local Tech Innovation Hub (ICTIH) Project was launched last week at the NUST Innovation Village. The initiative, spearheaded by the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, is implemented with funding from the Finnish Embassy. The ICTIH project aims at including minorities and vulnerable groups in the innovation processes. With a two-year seed funding from the Finnish Embassy, the Hub will enhance ICT innovation skills for a minimum of 300 young community members at selected rural and urban pilot sites. The project aims to ensure that products developed by marginalised young people enter the market successfully. The Ambassador of Finland to Namibia, Her Excellency, Pirkko-Liisa Kyöstilä said: “In the Finnish development policy we put a strong emphasis on the empowerment of marginalised groups. Moreover, the inclusion of the private sector into the development cooperation is an undisputable direction of today’s development policy all around the world – also in Finland and in Namibia. This Hub project connects the two important key areas in an innovative way.”
Dr Tjama Tjivikua, the NUST Vice-Chancellor added that he is confident the Hub will be able to make some headway in building bridges between talented youth and those looking for talent. “Our challenge lies in getting the right talent supported by the right people in the right environment, ” he said. He further appealed to the private sector to become partners getting involved in the tech innovation processes. The project stems from the CodeBus Africa initiative, that was organised last year as a part of the Finland 100 years’ celebrations. In the CodeBus Initiative, NUST operated as a local partner in training young people around the country about creative coding and technology in general. The tech innovation hub with its inclusive and collaborative approach will contribute broadly to the national innovation system.
NUST staff attending to queries from prospective students from Windhoek High School (WHS).
Staff from the Department of Communications and Marketing at NUST, visited Windhoek High School (WHS) recently, as part of the Institution’s recruitment drive. Hundreds of Grade 11 and 12 learners attended the information sharing session and expressed interest in programmes such as Engineering, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, Tourism Management, and Quantity Surveying. The Department also participated in the well-known Ritja Career Fairs, at Okakarara and Grootfontein. Learners in these areas showed keen interested in agricultural, and engineering studies. Applications for the 2019 ACADEMIC YEAR will open in June 2018. All online applications are FREE. For more information visit: www.nust.na
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