Update May 2024
Seven students, nine experts and two Career Starter Weeks
We look back with great pleasure on successful months in the first semester of 2024.
Northbound
Seven students from Namibia and Zambia spent the last three months in Switzerland for their internships with various companies. They were able to gain a lot of important experience and exciting insights at our partner companies Bank Julius Baer, Bob Finance, Büchi Labortechnik and Ferrum. We were able to place all seven interns with host families, which is very rewarding for both the families and the students. At the final presentation on April 18, the motivated young people gave an exciting insight into their lives at home and during their stay in Switzerland. The audience got to learn a lot about Zambia and Namibia, which could be put to the test in a quiz.
At the end of April, the seven students set off on their journey home and arrived safely back in Namibia and Zambia. Our heartfelt thanks goes to all host families, partner companies and donors who support our Northbound program and make this unforgettable experience possible for the students.
Southbound
In February and March, a total of nine experts were in Namibia, five of whom were for the first time on assignment for the Southbound program. At the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), they met interested students who were able to benefit from their professional experience and shared knowledge.
The two Career Starter Weeks (CSW), which took place in cooperation with Bank Windhoek, deserve special mention. The weeks were a big success: during two weeks, 35 graduates were able to gain important know-how and tools to be prepared for the start of their careers. Four of the participants were accepted into Bank Windhoek's graduate program and eight into B360's mentoring program. Congratulations!
We would like to thank all the experts who volunteered, Bank Windhoek and NUST for the successful cooperation.
The expert reports can be found HERE.
South-South
On March 12, a successful B360 networking event was held in Windhoek. The host Sabina Balmer welcomed around 100 B360 alumni, partners, lecturers as well as national and international experts. Impressions of the event can be found HERE.
Outlook
We are looking forward to the second semester which is starting soon.
From June 20 to July 4, six graduates from Zambia will be traveling to Switzerland. This trip is the special award for their excellent work as part of the 2023 virtual internships. The special award is sponsored by the Staub Kaiser Foundation. During their stay, the young Zambians will have the opportunity to get to know Switzerland and their virtual internship companies as well as taking part in the B360 annual event.
In September, three students will arrive in Switzerland to complete a three-month internship at Cosanum, Motorex and Zweifel Pomy-Chips. In addition, there will be virtual internships starting on September 1. It will again be a hybrid approach with Swiss and Zambian companies.
In the second semester, two Career Starter Weeks will again be offered in Namibia in cooperation with the Bank Windhoek. Two CSW will be offered at our partner university UNILUS in Zambia. In addition, the program will be expanded and for the first time, two CSW will be held at our partner university (Tertiary School in Business Administration - TSIBA) in Cape Town, South Africa. Therefore, six experts will travel to Cape Town, Lusaka and Windhoek in the second semester.
We will be happy to keep you up to date on the projects.
Kind regards,
Sabina Balmer and B360-Team
