Dr Susanne Pfenninger

cooperation with students and the university staff

Red Perald beans from the African rosewood tree, Ombidi Ikukutu (dried spinach), Odjove (kernel oil) or Makalani palm fruit and other food products were discussed in the case study. The task was to export a food product known in Namibia and welcomed abroad to a suitable country. This case study was used to teach the most important aspects of exporting a food product. It also showed the advantages of exporting for Namibia. On the one hand, a good profit can be made due to the low wages in Namibia compared to many exporting countries. On the other hand, jobs can be created if the business is successful.

The students enthusiastically applied what they had learned in the case study. They had to characterise the food product, to define a USP (Unique Selling Proposition), to define a suitable country to export to, or to know and apply the legal requirements in the country of export. There was a lot of creativity. It was amazing to realise that foods that are commonly consumed in some regions of Namibia are hardly known in other regions. It was a funny moment when the names of the foods were mentioned in the different dialects spoken in Namibia. All the foods chosen in the case studies are not yet known in Switzerland and would be welcome here to a greater extent.

Finally, all six groups presented their case studies. The staff members were also surprised at how well the elements important for exporting a product were combined and presented. The use of artificial intelligence, with which the students were very familiar, certainly contributed to this.

Impact and win-win

For me personally, it was an enrichment to be able to pass on a small part of my professional experience to young people who have a future ahead of them, and to show them the strengths and weaknesses of exporting from Namibia. The cheerfulness of the people on the other side was contagious and the enthusiasm for the subject was positive.

personal message

Due to the high unemployment rate in the country, it is unlikely that the students will be able to apply what they have learned so quickly in their professional lives. However, whether in future careers in government, international business or NGOs, the process and ideas of exporting goods and important aspects of international trade will remain.