PD Dr Markus Schuppler

After teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an exciting feeling to have another in-person assignment at NUST. Again, I taught a portion of the Medical Microbiology course to third-year students of Medical Laboratory Sciences in the Biomedical Sciences Programme. My part was focusing on the molecular aspects of the pathogenicity of bacterial pathogens relevant for food and drinking water, in lectures, practical courses and a field trip. 

Cooperation with university staff

Upon my arrival at NUST, I was eager to observe the impact of the pandemic on the Biomedical Sciences Programme. To my surprise, a number of senior lecturers had departed, but the student body had reached an all-time high of 50 students, the largest enrollment to date. This poses a significant challenge for the Biomedical Sciences staff, but they are handling the adverse conditions admirably, despite their already heavy workload. During my assignment, the staff provided excellent support, for which I am very grateful. The positive attitude and generosity of the local lecturers and staff significantly contributed to the successful completion of my assignment. I truly enjoyed our collaboration and extend my heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues at NUST for their valuable assistance. 

Impact and win-win

Receiving positive feedback from both Medical Laboratory Sciences students and the Biomedical Sciences staff was incredibly rewarding and encouraging. It was gratifying to know that my efforts had made an impact on the education of the students, particularly in the field of food microbiology, which is usually not covered by other lecturers. Thus, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of their education and future professional careers. Furthermore, teaching in a foreign country is always a valuable experience that helped to improve my teaching and presentation skills. Overall, teaching at NUST was a win-win situation for all parties involved and a fantastic opportunity. 

memorable event

During the practical course the students investigated themselves for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus on their own throat mucosa. These bacteria represent one of the most frequent causes of food poisoning, when they are introduced into food that allows their growth and formation of enterotoxins. For this purpose, the students took throat swabs and steaked them on agar plates, where the bacteria form black colonies. I vividly recall the students' shock upon analysing their plates full of black colonies, realizing they had potentially enterotoxin-producing bacteria in their throats. This memorable experiment left a strong impression on the students, and it was a highlight of the course for both, them and myself.  

personal message

Recognizing that education plays a critical role in shaping the economic and social future of Namibia's youth, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with B360 education partnerships at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Windhoek. This program requires immense dedication and collaboration from everyone involved, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the teams at B360 and NUST for their hard work in ensuring the program's success. Together, we can make a positive impact on the future of human welfare in Namibia.