The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) under the departments of International Relations and Architecture and Spatial Planning is requesting the public to lend support in funding two academically high performing students at the university to attend a semester at a German partner university.
Bica Martin and Tariro Muparadzi are among the six top-performing Bachelor of Architecture students that have been selected to spend an exchange semester at the RheinMain university of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden, Germany.
In an interview with Youth Corner, the director for International Relations at the university, Marius Kudumo said three of the students are fully funded by the Erasmus Programme, whilst the others are partially funded by the Internationale Studienund Ausbuildungspartnerschaften (ISAP) Programme, a DAAD funded student exchange agreement between NUST and RheinMain University of Applied Sciences.
“One ISAP funded student has managed to secure the remaining required funding, while the other two students urgently require assistance to meet their travel expenses and the remainder of the required living allowance amount,” he said.
Breaking down all the expenses for the two students, Kudumo said both students need the total amount of N$130 000 to cover all expenses which include a living allowance for five months, flight, visa application, insurance, train, and so forth.
Kudumo is pleading to the nation to contribute with what they can, saying the students will be provided with many opportunities that will contribute highly to their studies and careers.
“This is a great opportunity to expand our students’ horizons and make them well-rounded global citizens,” he explained.
In addition, the International Relations Officer at NUST, Paulina Haikola said the benefits students reap from a semester abroad are many and have been enumerated in many academic studies.
“From our experience with NUST students, we see the following changes upon students’ return: increased self-confidence, personal growth/maturity, improved verbal and written communication skills and a broader understanding of the world and their place in it,” she added.
The semester is expected to start from March to August 2021.
– ashikololo@nepc.com.na