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Building a World-Class University. 09 February 2018 Official weekly newsletter of NUST Namibia University of Science and Technology NUST_Namibia @NUST_Namibia NUST BRIEF website: www.nust.na An award-winning university • Rated Best Higher Education Institution in Namibia (PMR 201 5, 2016, 2017) • Rated Most Innovative Institution in Namibia (PMR 2016) In December last year, the India-Africa Summit on promoting ICT, was held in New Dehli, India. The Summit aims to promote: the combating of cybercrimes in Africa and India; the adoption of reliable ICT systems and organisational policies; the privacy of customers, and the utilisation of ICT for sustainable development. A number of hand-picked public and private sector organisations from India and across the African continent were recognised for exceptional contributions towards innovation and development of the sector globally. “Being recognised for excellence in research at such an international forum is a feather in cap for NUST and it will inspire us to deliver even more. The one missing element is that we need industry to collaborate on research and development as this is a catalyst for innovation,” said Dr Peters. The Summit participants established a council, namely: Asia-Africa Development Council, to address various issues in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, a website: www.asiafricaonline.com was launched with the objective of promoting cooperation amongst African countries and Asia by focusing on tourism and investment, trade between Africa and Asia, cultural and educational exchange programmes, democracy and good governance, human rights, responsible investment, educational development and people-to-people relationships. The 2017 India-Africa ICT Excellence Awards were organised by the Asia-Africa Development Council, the Innovation Society of India, the Computer Society of India, the Public Opinions International, the World Academy of Informatics and Management Sciences, the Agency for Americas and European Products and Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India. Dharm Singh, a Professor in the FCI Computer Science Department participated in the Summit and received the award on behalf of the Faculty. Faculty wins 2017 India-Africa ICT Excellence Award The Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI) at NUST is the winner of the 2017 India-Africa ICT Excellence Award in Academic Research category. A nomination for the award was submitted by the Dean of the Faculty, Dr Anicia Peters, and her team. FROM LEFT: Prof Deepak Jain, Secretary-General: Innovation Society; Nafisa Yesmeen, Chief Executive Officer: Kiandas Business Academy International; Nagabhusan NG, Vice-president: Valtech; Prof Ripu Ranjan Sinha, Director-General: Asia Africa Development Council; James Katta, Chief Executive Officer, SIF Tech South Sudan;Dharam Singh, Professor: Namibia University of Science and Technology; Prof A B Dadas , Director: Navelle Wadia Group of Institutes; and Prof K.S Charak, Director: Navshyahdri Group of Institues. At the beginning of the event, a bell is rung and this symbolises the beginning of the orientation programme for the students. The tradition was started in 2011 and over the years it has become an important part of the Department’s calendar. Lameck Mwewa, an Associate Dean: Teaching and Learning, and former Dean of the Faculty, was the guest speaker at the occasion. Mwewa gave a motivational talk on how the students can become successful, and generally how to cope with university life. “Make sure you enjoy this period of your life. Be inquisitive, apply your mind and be a well-rounded person, academically and socially. Navigate through the tough times, and never give up. Use the support systems that the Institution has in place, but remember the main responsibility to succeed rests with you, ”Mwewa said to the students. During the Assembly, senior students encouraged the newcomers to join organisations such as the Namibia Architecture Students’ Association, the Namibia Urban Planning Students’ Association, and the Namibia Urban Planning Students’ Association. This, they said, would open up doors that enable them to gain more practical knowledge. Since 2010, the Department has produced cohorts of graduates in Architecture, as well as Town and Regional Planning, Regional and Rural Development. Some of the graduates have been absorbed by industry locally, whilst some have gone on to further their studies in South Africa and Europe. The NUST undergraduate and postgraduate Architecture Programmes are accredited and recognised regionally and internationally. The DASP offers qualifications in Quantity Surveying, Town and Regional Planning, Regional and Rural Development, and Architecture. The enrolment, currently at more than 500, has been growing steadily over the years. The first bell has rung Annually, the Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning (DASP), in the Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences, hosts a First Bell Assembly. This event enables staff to welcome new and returning students to the Department. Dr Rolf Becker, Dean: Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences (centre, wearing a tie), posing with a bell and staff from the Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning. A Swiss Internship Experience Four NUST students, from the Faculty of Management Sciences, left the Namibian shores for Switzerland last week Friday to undertake industry placements at world-renowned banks. The students were selected for the B360 Education Partnerships Internship Programme, which will enable them to gain industry experience at Swiss banks for three months. NUST has collaborated with B360 Education Partnerships since 2009, to enable knowledge transfer between top European professionals and Namibian students. FROM LEFT: NUST Students - Israel Uuyuni, Laina Shivolo, Stefanie Garises and Malcolm Tsuseb. NUST CAREER FAIR This year’s NUST Career Fair will take place on 14 and 15 March 2018. Organisations/Companies/ Ministries are hereby invited to participate as exhibitors at the event. The Fair gives exhibitors a chance to give career guidance to thousands of students and high school learners. ENQUIRIES: Michael Kisting, T: 061 207 2271 E: [email protected] or Susan Dietlik, T: 061 207-2070 E: [email protected] CENTRE FOR ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT (CED) SHORT COURSES Adobe Certified Associate Training, 5 Days, N$6 000, 26 February – 02 March 2018 Time: 08:00 - 17:00 Registration Deadline: 16 February 2018 ENQUIRIES: Francina Kashaka, T: 061 207 2236 E: [email protected]
