Mirembe Izagiire-Wachholz

collaboration with supply chain faculty team

Collaboration with the lecturers and the team at NUST Faculty of Supply Chain was very successful and satisfactory. The personal interactions, mutual professional exchanges and competent support contributed largely to the very successful assignment. Early preparatory exchanges during the planning phase with B360, NUST International Office and Faculty team enabled successful outlining of the lecture topics; followed by fine-tuning topic details lecture was crucial for success. 

Occasional changes of designated lecture rooms and timetable adjustments required were largely taken in stride, given flexibility of everyone involved. Furthermore, the overall generous attitude of the Faculty lecturers towards guest lecturer contributed to the success of the assignment, it was the basis for the good cooperation – a great thank you to the colleagues at NUST Faculty of Supply Chain.

cooperation with students

Experiencing supply chain not only in theory but also through interactive practical materials brought into class, case studies, group role-playing and reference to current affairs in Namibia and globally was essential to creating positive connection with the students, understanding local and global supply chain management and translating the introduced concepts into practice. This resulted in mutually rewarding experiences with the students.

In the Procurement Management Module, student breakout groups participated in creating different stages of an international coffee supply chain; while in the Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management Module, they worked on conceptual design and implementation requirements to produce and supply a Diabetes health kit product across Africa. By presenting supply chain processes for key players in the coffee value chain and further role-playing a typical Sales & Operations Planning meeting involving all key functionalities, they not only learned about the most important SCOR® design principles in supply chain operations management but also developed a stronger awareness of how supply chains are part and parcel of our practical daily lives; and therefore identified and discussed potential opportunities for entrepreneurial application outside the classroom.

impact and win-win

Participating in the Career Starter week as a mock interviewer for students who had (or were shortly going to apply for) actually advertised roles was a great opportunity for them to rehearse, receive constructive feedback from their peers and I - while bolstering their confidence with greater self-awareness that will stand them in good stead as they enter the competitive job market.

Delivering a well-attended, well-received and audience-engaging public lecture on a topic very relevant for both public and private sectors was very rewarding (“Sustainability in Procurement and Supply Chain Management – Recommendations from Industry”).  

It has been a large win-win to share with the students the experience as a lecturer and expert in the field of supply chain, whose shared African upbringing they could relate to, students could hopefully be inspired to pursue their chosen supply chain career aspirations - with affirmation and bolder resolve. In return I had the privilege to get an insight into their lives, not only as students but also into their private lives during personal consultation hours. From these interactions during which I often related to their circumstances and topics at hand, I was often able to offer some perspective, helpful input and actionable suggestions at this early stage of their career development journeys. This was the most rewarding privilege of the Assignment

personal message

Meeting young people in Namibia, who are eager to learn and supporting them in their supply chain education journey is extremely motivating. I am convinced that affirmation, professional representation and applied-learning experiences are crucial for enabling these students pursue and achieve practice-oriented and realize entrepreneurial impact in the field of supply chain - during and after their education.

It takes a lot of motivation and effort from all people involved in the Roche - B360  Education partnership with NUST, but it is worth it!

Thank you!