Dr. Peter H. Schmuki

This was already my third trip to Windhoek to work as a volunteer lecturer at the Department of Accounting, Economic & Finance. As soon as my wife and I landed at Hosea Kutako Airport in Windhoek, the warm hospitality of our Namibian hosts made us feel right at home.

This time, I was teaching both a full-time and a part-time class of “Money and Banking” as well as a part-time honors class of “Financial Economics” which made for a busy program. The lectures covered various aspects of International Financial Markets and the current crisis in the European Monetary Union. At the end, the students had to prepare a case study on “How to Raise US$ 500 Million for the Republic of Namibia in International Markets”.

In addition, I was invited to give a public lecture about “Lessons for Regional Economic Communities in Africa from the Ongoing Crisis in the EU”, which besides students also attracted lecturers, media and representatives of local industry.

During the second week, I also conducted a workshop open to all students at NUST on “How to Find a Job in the Global Market”. In a meeting with members of the Department of Accounting, Economics & Finance, we discussed topics like “The Ranking of NUST among Universities Worldwide” and “What Qualifications do Students Need upon Graduation to Succeed in the Market Place”.

After a welcome dinner with my “old friend” Dr. Cyril Ogbokor, Dean of the School of Management Sciences, with Kasnath Kavezeri, Head of the Economics Department and Nico Smit from the International Office, we started work the next morning to prepare for the various classes and to meet with Immanuel Nashivela, the lecturer of the Money and Banking classes and Blessing Musariri, the lecturer of the Financial Economics class that I would be teaching.

After the usual “warm-up phase” during which the students had to get used to a new face in front of the class, we started to have lively discussions, both on the topics of the lectures themselves, as well as about many other subjects that the students brought up. With a good number of them, I also met one-on-one outside the classroom to discuss individual questions/issues they were interested in. It was great to see how the students applied themselves to the material we discussed. The quality of the case study they had to complete during the second week in many instances were of very high quality.

My presentation about “Lessons for Regional Economic Communities in Africa from the Ongoing Crisis in the EU” both in the class-room as well as during the public lecture created very lively debates about the road forward for sustainable economic development in Africa.

Unfortunately, the time was flying by and before long, it was time to say good-bye again. My thanks go to all our friends, old and new, who made our trip a fantastic experience. Most of all, I would like to thank my students who inspired me with their hard work, their interest and their sense of humor. You made this a very special experience.