US-Africa Business Conference, 2008

Supporting Economic Development Through

Student Projects

by Creighton Peet,

Director, Namibia Project Center, WPI

WPI Projects in Namibia in 2008

Water & Sanitation Management in Fish River Basin

Invasive Bush Harvesting Industry

HIV/AIDS Prevention in Businesses

Windhoek Tourism Branding

Namibia Tourism Tracking System

Erosion Control & Rainwater Harvesting in Outlying Settlements

Ephemeral River Basins in the SADC: Fish River Basin Project Potential for Basin

ManagementSources and quality

of waterMethods of

SanitationTariffs and Cost

RecoveryQuantitative DataLocal Perceptions

Recommendations:Collaborative Projects

Pilot ProjectsSimilar projects in multiple locations

Different projects in multiple locations

Communication about current projects

Collective Training

Opportunities in Sanitation

dry systemsdry systems

BiogasBiogas

$$other sourcesother sources

DEWATSDEWATS

Consider New Ideas

Importance of payment

Modified payment plansKeetmanshoop

RehobothBlock Tariffs

Payment notification

Arrears + current bill

Customer Care

Education

Communication

Information ManagementStandardized Record Keeping

Types of data

Digitize

Training

Instructions for new personnel

Performance Indicators

Quantitative

Provide measurable goals

Assessments

Invasive Bush Harvesting ProjectProblems:•Unemployment

•Invasive Bush

•Power Shortage

•Combating Bush Encroachment for Namibia’s Development (CBEND)

Final Design: 8-Person Trailer

Conclusions

• 8-person trailer– Autonomous– Flexible

Aftercare – Land restoration system Returns land to natural grassland

Benefits of ProjectsFor students:• Find real solutions to real problems• Promote cross-cultural understanding &

interaction• Learn how to work in teams• Develop writing and oral presentation skills• Realize the importance of understanding

the societal context of any project

For businesses:• Identify new business opportunities