School of Natural Resourcesand Tourism
Department of Agriculture
Assignment Report of Karl Kupper
Specialist for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek
18. Juli – 5. August 2011
download report (pdf)
The primary goal of my assignment at the Polytechnic was to work with the 2nd year agriculture students. This included teaching 5 lessons of Dairy Production Systems, 10 lessons of Dairy Feeding and 10 lessons of Dairy Breeding. In my spare time, I gathered information about agriculture and animal keeping in Namibia in general and the agricultural formation approach in Namibia.
In addition to holding classes, I was asked to do some consultancy work for the Centre of Entrepreneurial Development (CED). The topic was to establish a framework for training people with handicaps with the goal to integrate them into the labor market. The proposal of the Projects Administrator of CED for a formation of handicapped people in Namibia was handed in to the authorities to get their opinion and decision.
During my stay I made contacts with stakeholders in and around the Polytechnic and now have a better idea of the syllabus and teaching in the area of animal husbandry. Based on my observations I allowed myself to make a few suggestions. For example I recommended to the Department of Agriculture that students should be more exposed to practical work in the field before starting their desk studies. On institutional level, I think a Sports Department would be a good investment and closer cooperation with the Agriculture Department at UNAM could add a lot of value.
The assignment overall has been a very good experience and I enjoyed working with students who were all very interested and motivated to learn. I would like to return and work at the Polytechnic again. If there is a next opportunity, I will be able to start to work efficiently from the first day as I now know more about the specific needs and possibilities of the Polytechnic and its students in my field of work.
The International Relations team as well as the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with B360, did a great job of providing good working conditions, a good working atmosphere and infrastructure. I felt very welcome by the head of department, Mr Salomo M. Mbai, most of the lecturers and also the administrative staff.
Wetzikon, August 15, 2011