Communications
Department of Media Technology und Department of Communication
Assignment Report Marianne Egli
Union 3 Communications
Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek
September 1 -30, 2011
Back to the Poly
I arrived in Namibia relaxed and very much looking forward to taking on my second assignment at the Polytechnic of Namibia, carrying with me in my luggage, a lot of paper, technical literature and chocolate. When I queued in front of the booth of a customs official at passport inspection and observed her, fully focused on enjoying the music playing from the loudspeakers and going along with it physically even while stamping my passport, I felt as if I had returned home. This was Namibia. And I already knew my way around the apartment on the 7th floor of Poly Heights. The reception provided to me by Neavera Oliver’s department was, once again, very warm. The department, together with Sabina and Sandra, had provided me with every feasible comfort, including Internet reception in my apartment, furniture on the balcony, a welcome dinner, and a get-together excursion with two other Poly B360 guest lecturers, my new neighbors at Poly Heights.
Having your cake and eating it, too
According to the assignment planned, I was to work together with two teams from different departments. On the one hand, the Department of Communication that I knew well from my first assignment in Namibia, and on the other, from the Department of Media Technology of Emily Brown of which I had already heard a lot. It was now time to work out the class schedules, define the topics and do away with any misunderstandings regarding content that arose during planning. Having carried out this work, we all looked forward to the weeks before us.
A full program
In the beginning, I had complained about having been assigned a (too) small number of classes – but my schedule soon filled up with additional classes – that I took pleasure in giving. And then there were the interesting additional jobs that ended up on my desk. In detail, this worked out as follows:
Department of Media Technology
From the very beginning on, it was clear that Bertha Amakali and I would work closely together and also teach classes together. She contributed local examples, commented, added and reminded the students of earlier lectures on specific themes that I took up in a different context, etc. This not only worked smoothly but was also enriching for all of the students. We taught back-to-back classes for full and part time students on the following topics:
• PR basics,
• Working with the media
• Media research und analysis
• And in the end, a demanding exam. The grades were part of the general semester evaluation.
I had to refrain from working on the project I had planned originally, because it did not fit into the time schedule of the curriculum. This was regrettable but understandable. I then added as many best practice examples as possible in order to foster interaction with the students during class.
Working with Bertha Amakali proved to be extremely pleasant – a challenging but pleasant cooperation. We often discussed and, for instance, defined test questions or graded papers together. What proved to be particularly beneficial was the exchange of ideas outside of the classroom. For me, this was especially enriching. I was also impressed by how this department attempts to ensure direct references to economic developments with the lessons taught and the methodology applied – this being of great importance to the future of the students. Thank you very much, Bertha and Emily.
Department of Communication
This is the department where I carried out my assignment last year. It was also nice to see the many familiar faces among the lecturers and students again. I worked together with Sanjay Karteweg who is in charge of the full-time students and above all enjoyed the relaxed and very practice-oriented manner in which the students are taught.
In the evening, I worked with Isack Hamata’s part-time students – whom he had entrusted to me.
I was very happy to meet Sandra Tjiramanga’s request to hold some lectures in her classes as well. The same applies to Elizabeth Wittmann’s request. The topics chosen were all very practice-oriented, so that I was able to share much professional experience with the students.
We held single and double lessons for part-time students as well as standard classes for full-time students on the following topics:
• Media research and analysis,
• PR basics, working with the media,
• Crisis communication
• Presentation skills.
Additionally:
• Getting ready for work
• Welcome to the working place
• Corporate communication and the role of communication
• A two-hour assessment had also been planned for Isack Hamata’s part-time students.
Thank you very much! It was very pleasurable to work together with my colleagues from the Department of Communication and to foster the exchanging of ideas. In particular, I would like to thank Sandra, Tracy and Elizabeht who actively supported my work in their department and thus contributed so significantly to ensuring a very pleasurable stay at the Poly for me.
Expertise required
I was able to assist various departments at the Polytechnic with communication and marketing advice. In part, these tasks were quite complex and would have justified a special assignment. In my opinion, there is much potential for B360 experts here. It was very generous that I was given my own office in Donovan Weimer’s department for the entire duration of my stay – including my own room and access to the coffee machine.
Outstanding Namibian hospitality
Once again, everyone truly spoilt me: from the Rector, Dr. Tjama Tjivikua, who always made the time to spend a few hours with us; or Neavera Olivier and her department colleagues, the heads of department (HOD) and lecturers and their teams; Donovan Weimers, and the many good souls at Elizabeth House who all took such good care of me.
Part of the B360 network
It was particularly nice that two further B360 experts, Jean-Pierre Lanz and Michelle Holmes, were working assignments at the Poly at practically the same time as myself and that they also lived at Poly Heights. We got along with each other straight away, having dinner together and continuously exchanged experiences as well as going on wonderful weekend excursions together.
First work, then play
One of the main advantages of my assignment in Windhoek was that work and leisure time can be so easily combined. Michelle Holmes and I spent our weekends on different guest farms and lodges close to Windhoek. We enjoyed long hikes, spectacular game drives, refreshing sundowners, and the fantastic landscapes.
Conclusions and recommendations
In my opinion, the 2011 assignment was successful but demanded full concentration as well as much flexibility and team spirit. For me, such special tasks going beyond pure lecturing are very exciting. Furthermore, they allow for insight into different themes within and outside of the Polytechnic.
Ensuring cultural exchange beyond classrooms is extremely important and contributes massively to ensuring a win-win situation for both parties.
Zurich, November 2011