Prof Dr Corinne Gantenbein-Demarchi

cooperation with university staff

The successful cooperation between the lecturers and staff at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is based on various aspects that contributed to the success of the assignment, including professional exchange, competent support and flexibility. The cooperation with the lecturers and staff at NUST was very successful and satisfactory. The local lecturers were able to provide valuable insights and expertise that greatly benefited my stay at NUST. The organization at NUST in the planning phase was very good and interactive as well as highly focused and efficient due to the good experiences of the previous years.

The overall generous attitude of the local lecturers, mainly of the contacts for my course,  towards guest lecturers contributed to the success of the assignment. The local lecturers and staff were highly welcoming and supportive for my ideas and especially for the project on food safety with the class.

cooperation with students

Since 2019 when the "World Food Safety Day" was established by the WHO/FAO this topic plays an important role in class. In a goup project awareness about food safety risks and safe food practices is promoted. As part of this project, the students evaluated the food safety risks of specific Namibian dishes, such as mopane worms.

Students' active involvement in the learning process, such as practical exercises, discussions, and projects, enhances their understanding and retention of the knowledge. Experiencing food microbiology not only in theory but also in practical exercises is essential for establishing a positive and rewarding relationship with the students. In the field of food microbiology, hands-on training provides students with a practical understanding of the subject matter. It enables them to develop essential skills such as sample collection, processing and analysis, which are essential for careers in food safety.

impact and win-win

One of the highlights was certainly the collaboration with the students during my stay at NUST. This confirms the importance of the practical exercises in building a positive relationship with the students. Moreover the project "World Food Safety Day" provided an opportunity to the students to learn about food safety risks and develop a state-of-the-art tool to propagate food safety messages to other people.

personal message

As a strong believer in the power of education I had the opportunity to meet many young people who were eager to learn and grow. I was impressed by their passion for education and their determination to succeed. It was inspiring to see how much they valued education as a means to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

In conclusion, I am convinced that education is the most important and for sure the best support and help we can give these young people in Namibia. Meeting them and supporting their education is always an extremely motivating experience for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people involved in the b360 education partnership for their hard work and dedication. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these young people.