PD Dr Markus Schuppler

My assignment in 2024 was the second year back at NUST after the virtual teaching period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeling like ‘coming home’, I enjoyed the teaching of third-year students of Medical Laboratory Sciences in the Biomedical Sciences Programme. As part of their Medical Microbiology course, I covered the Public Health section with a focus on the molecular pathogenicity of bacterial pathogens relevant for food and drinking water, by offering lectures, practical courses and field trips.

Cooperation with university staff

Upon my arrival at NUST, I was delighted to find that most of the staff involved in the Biomedical Sciences Programme were still present. Having known many of them since my first assignment in 2016, interacting and collaborating with them has consistently been a rewarding and fruitful experience. Also, this year the number of third-year students was still rather high with 50 participants. However, I was taken aback when I discovered that the number of first-year students had doubled to 100, a figure that might pose practical challenges for the staff of the Biomedical Sciences Programme. The significant increase in student numbers presented a particular challenge in delivering practical courses. Nevertheless, thanks to the excellent preparation and support provided by the staff at Biomedical Sciences, we were able to navigate these difficulties and deliver a practical course that was enjoyed by all 50 students. The unwavering support from the local lecturers and staff greatly contributed to the successful completion of my assignment, and I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with them. Therefore, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my colleagues at NUST for their invaluable assistance.

Impact and win-win

Again, I was grateful for the chance to provide an impact on the education of students of Medical Laboratory Sciences and to contribute at least a little bit to prepare them for their future endeavours. Knowing that my dedication may have a certain impact on the knowledge of the students, particularly to the field of food microbiology, which is usually not addressed by other lecturers, brought a sense of satisfaction. But also receiving commendations from both, students of Medical Laboratory Sciences and the staff of Biomedical Sciences was truly fulfilling and motivating. Hence, I trust that teaching at NUST proved mutually beneficial and a remarkable opportunity for growth for all stakeholders.

Memorable event

Most memorable events emerged mainly from the personal interaction with the students, which was in particular possible during the practical courses and the field trips. This year we had the opportunity to visit the wastewater treatment plant at Gammams Water Care Works in Windhoek and the New Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant (NGRP) which provided an incredibly educational and impactful experience for the students. It was fascinating to see firsthand the processes involved in transforming domestic sewage into safe potable water, especially at a plant like NGRP, which was the world's first direct potable reuse plant.

The strong emphasis of the expert, who guided us through the process, on the responsibility of the new generation of Namibians in water conservation and maintaining water sources was particularly memorable. Water scarcity and quality are significant issues globally, and it's heartening to see such a proactive approach being taken in Namibia. Educating students on the importance of water conservation and maintaining the cleanliness of water sources is an important measure and will help to prepare them to be stewards of the environment and valuable contributors to the future sustainability of Namibia.

Personal message

Acknowledging the important role that education plays in molding the economic and social prospects of Namibia's youth, I am still happy to be part of the B360 education partnerships at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Windhoek. This program demands unwavering dedication and collaboration from all parties involved, and I am grateful to the teams at B360 and NUST for their relentless efforts in ensuring the program's success. Together, we have the power to create a meaningful impact on the future well-being of Namibia's people.