Prof. Dr. Corinne Gantenbein-Demarchi

Cooperation with university staff

It was a highlight to be back in Namibia and to meet NUST colleagues and also students back on campus. Only the omnipresent masks and the countless disinfection checks were reminiscent of Corona. Thanks to the experiences of the past years, the cooperation with the responsible colleagues of NUST worked out very well. I very much appreciated the trust that the lecturers had in me. This was also the basis for the fact that I was allowed to work very independently with the students on site, but always received the necessary support in case of open questions or uncertainties.

What I appreciated very much was the interest of the colleagues responsible for the course mainly for the activities of the students in their project work on a Food Safety project.

Cooperation with students

"Learning by doing" - after last year's online course, it was like a gift for me to work with the students on site. This was also evident in the discipline of the students, not only in terms of their presence during class, but also in their motivation and activities in the project work on “World Food Safety Day” (established by the WHO/FAO and taking place every year on the 7th June). I appreciated the chance that thanks to the support of the local colleagues from NUST students could verify the theoretical findings of the project work by practical analysis in the lab. It was evident that from the discussion of the obtained date students learned the most. This exchange and work in the food lab also enabled closer collaboration with the students.

“Stand for food safety – stand for life!” – this core statement which was defined by a student of a former NUST class was confirmed in the various works and the insights gained by the student groups.

A highlight was the B360 alumni meeting I got the chance to attend during my stay at NUST. To see students from last year’s courses or from their internship in Switzerland was exciting. I was impressed to see and to get to know their professional success stories – success stories to which B360 has certainly contributed a lot.

Impact and Win-win

It is a large win-win to share with the students the experience as a lecturer and as an expert in the field of food microbiology. Seeing that the students were highly motivated and that I could provide them with new knowledge boosted my personal motivation. I got the impression that after the experiences with the pandemic last years students appreciated it even more to be on Campus and to get the chance to study. The same effect I experienced myself as a lecturer.

Personal Message

I consider it a special privilege to work with students and colleagues from a completely different environment in these difficult times – a time marked by a pandemic and now also by war. In my view, training and education are key elements that enable people to think critically. This critical thinking is becoming more important in these difficult times.

Meeting young people in Namibia, who are eager to learn, and supporting them in their education is extremely motivating. 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.

It takes a lot of motivation and effort from all people involved in B360 education partnership, but it is worth it!

Thank you!