Staff eNEWSLETTER July'14

POLYTECHNIC
O F N A M I B I A
transforming into
Namibia University of
Science and Technology
comment on these
SOCIAL
arenas
July 2014
Official Staff eNewsletter of the Polytechnic of Namibia
Volume 1, Issue 5
Poly Staff eNews
Polytechnic of Namibia Polytechnic_NamibiaPolytechnicofNamibiaThe Polytechnic of Namibia PolytechNam
Poly’ staff
Wellness Day
Layar
App
Intra-ACP
scholarships

JULY 20142 Poly’s Staff eNewsletter
Department of Marketing, Communications & Alumni
Contributions:
Victoria Kangombe
Mokaona Benestus
Design & Layout:
Marlyna Nanus
Contact the Department:
Tel: +264 61 2072225
E-mail: dcm@polytechnic.edu.na
Contents
2 From the Editor’s desk
3 Transformation...Name Changes
5 SHAS - Water Purification
Workshop
6 Intra-ACP Scholarship
7 COLL - Layar App
9 New staff Induction
10 Staff Wellness
Employee Relations
Pension for Non-Namibians.
11 Birthdays
Fashion on Campus
Back page Announcements
Contributions to Newsletter
• Please keep your article short - to a
maximum of 500 words.
• The article should relate to something
current or imminent.
• Please avoid the use of jargon specific
to your department. The newsletter
is distributed to all staff and needs to
be inclusive.
• Articles should be relevant and of
general interest to the staff at the
Institution.
• It is a warm, informal and inclusive
newsletter, so don’t be afraid to use a
more relaxed style. Please include a
good quality jpeg image.
• Please remember that while we want
to hear from you, we can’t always
place everything we receive.
• We reserve the right to edit articles
before publication.
• Email your suggestions to:
dcm@polytechnic.edu.na or
mbenestus@polytechnic.edu.na
Contact the team
From the Editor’s desk
w
W
hat can we expect with change? How
will people react to change? How can
I help my team work through the
change? How will change affect the way we
operate or service our customers? What will it
cost us? These are questions that have domi-
nated our minds during the brainstorming
sessions with the branding exercises.
The reality is that most people don’t like
change because it can be stressful, espe-
cially when it happens unexpectedly. In
our case it is happening gradually and we
have enough time to plan and coordinate
all these changes.
Change can be scary, and understandably so.
It represents the unknown, taking us out of
our comfort zones. Any time an organisa-
tion embarks on a new initiative, there is
the risk of failure, which could have signifi-
cant financial consequences. Yet, if we don’t
change, failure is certain.
As society evolves, we must too. Organisa-
tions that not only understand the impor-
tance of change, but embrace it, are the ones
thatwillultimately be most successful. Charles
Darwin once wrote, “It is not the strongest of
the species that survives, neither the most
intelligent, but the one most respon-
sive to change.” An organisation that
embraces change will not only survive,
but will thrive.
Embracing change;
Leading through
Transformation
Kaitira E Kandjii
Director: Marketing, Communications and Alumni
Currently After Transformation

Former Name New Name
School of
Management
School of Management Sciences
Comprises:
Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
Department of Hospitality & Tourism
Department of Management Studies
Department of Marketing and Logistics
Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business
School of Engineering School of Engineering
Comprises:
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Mining and Process Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Marine Engineering
Materials Testing Centre
School of Health and
Applied Sciences
School of Health and Applied Sciences
Comprises:
Department of Health Sciences
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Department of Natural and Applied Sciences
School of Humanities School of Human Sciences
Comprises:
Department of Communication
Department of Education and Languages
Department of Social Sciences
School of Information
Technology
School of Computing and Informatics
Comprises:
Department of Computer Sciences
Department of Informatics
School of Natural
Resources & Tourism
School of Natural Resources & Spatial Sciences
Comprises:
Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning
Department of Geo-Spatial Sciences and Technology
Department of Land and Property Sciences
Department of Natural Resources & Agricultural
Sciences
Centre for Integrated Land Management
Earth Observation and Satellite Applications Research
and Training Centre
Transformation includes name
changes to Schools, Centres,
Departments and Units
O
n 25 October 2013, the Council
of the Polytechnic of Namibia
approved the name changes of
the various Schools, Centres of Excellence,
Departments and Units to be in line with
transformation of the Polytechnic into
the Namibia University of Science and
Technology.
Your cooperation – by referring to Schools,
Centres of Excellence, Units, Departments,
and Units by the new names in all your
communications, will go a long way in
facilitating the transformation.
Newly established
Departments, Units, Centres
Research & Post-Graduate Studies
Unit
Former Name New Name
Centre for Cooperative Education Cooperative Education Unit
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Institute Namibia Energy Institute
Namibian-German Centre for Logistics Namibian-German Institute for Logistics
Namibia Business Innovation Centre Namibia Business Innovation Institute
Centre for Teaching and Learning Teaching and Learning Unit
Bureau of Computer Services Department: Information and Communications Technology
Institutional Development and Fundraising Department: Communications , Marketing and Alumni
Quality Assurance Quality Assurance Unit
Project Services Project Services Unit
Auxiliary Services Centre Department: Facilities
Library Department: Library and Information Services
Dean of Students Department: Student Services
International Relations and Planning
Department: Institutional Planning
Department: International Relations

AndincomesZarafa...
S
taff of the Marketing, Communications and
Alumni Department and the Centre for Enter-
prise Development (CED) recently attended a
joint web domain training session.
The Polytechnic is in the process of getting rid of its
domain servers, Pronto and Thunderbird, and adopt-
ing a new domain version called Zafara. The new
domain is preferred because of its fast and reliable
technicalities as compared to the old Pronto, Thun-
derbird and Outlook.
However, to those who were using Outlook, it’s just
an upgrade of it as they seem to have everything in
common.
Department: Information Communication & Technology
Poly Grows to Next-Generation Security
“Universities in general are not known for securing themselves well. We’ve seen a rise in instances where hackers invade our
infrastructure, not to steal anything here, but to use it to go after more valuable targets,” Marco Maartens, Network Manager
in the Department: Information Communication Technology, says.
Read the full story…

School of Health & Applied Sciences
UPCOMING EVENT
Date: 25-26 August 2014 l Time: 08:00 l Venue: Polytechnic Hotel School
Third Workshop
Water Purification and Contaminated Soil Remediation
with Natural Products
T
he School of Health and Applied Sciences
will host the 3rd
workshop themed “Water
Purification and Contaminated Soil
Remediation with Natural Products.”
“If you gave me several million years, there
would be nothing that did not grow in beauty if it
were surrounded by water,” said Jan Erik Vold, a
Norwegian poet.
Water is the hub of life. Unfortunately, clean,
drinkable water is a scarcity in Africa, particularly
in rural Africa. All is, however, not lost because the
Poly’s researchers are hard at work to find a means
of purifying this precious resource.
Learn how to purify this precious substance by
reserving your seat for the upcoming workshop
which is the third of its kind to be held since it was
initiated.
The workshop, which is open to all, aims to advocate
for publicising the importance of using non-toxic
and biodegradable natural products for treating
water and contaminated soil. Participation is limited
to 25 applicants. Those who wish to participate are
requested to write a motivational letter of not more
than 100 words as to why they wish to attend. Those
selected will be informed via mail by August 2014.
Further details may be obtained from, Dr Habauka
M Kwaambwa on Ext 2583, and Dr Marius Mutorwa
on Ext 2839.
Video by Dr Kwaambwa on purifying water with Moringa Olifeira

Here’s an opportunity to further your academic career
Intra-ACPMobilityScholarships-NOWAvailable
Office of the Vice-Rector Academic Affairs & Research
DOCTORAL/MASTER’S MOBILITY SCHOLARSHIPS
WHERE CAN YOU APPLY TO?
Doctoral & Master’s:
University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Master’s only:
Polytechnic of Namibia, Hawassa University, Ethiopia, Ardhi University, Tanzania
WHO CAN APPLY?
Target 1:
Nationals and/residents of African countries who are
staff and or students registered in one of the Partner
Universities at the time of registration
Target 2:
Nationals and/residents of Africa, registered in or
having obtained a university degree or equivalent in a
higher education institution of such countries and not
included in the Partnership.
WHAT IS THE PROGRAMME ABOUT?
“The Intra-ACP mobility scheme aims at a broad academic and cultural as well as geographically diverse exchange between higher
education institutions in African countries. The overall objective is to promote high-quality education for students and
young academics and to increase access to higher education in general.”
The programme builds on the African Union’s Mwalimu Nyerere Programme for Africa with funding from European Development Fund (EDF).
TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
http://intra-acp.polytechnic.edu.na
COORDINATED BY
THE POLYTECHNIC
OF NAMIBIA
Strengthening African Higher
Education through Academic
Mobility
This project is funded by the European Commission through the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCES
MEDICAL SCIENCES
NATURAL
SCIENCES
EDUCATION,
TEACHER
TRAINING
ENGINEERING,
TECHNOLOGY
OFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING FIELDS OF STUDY:
MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICATION REACHES US BY 13 AUGUST 2014
COMMUNICATION AND
INFORMATION
SCIENCES
CALL FOR
APPLICATIONS FOR
T
he Office of the Vice-Rec-
tor: Academic Affairs and
Research is pleased to an-
nounce that staff members may
now apply for the Intra-ACP Mo-
bility Scholarships.
The scheme aims to increase
access to quality postgraduate
education for students from the
Africa, Caribbean and the Pa-
cific (ACP) regions by promot-
ing cooperation between higher
education institutions (HEIs). It
is committed to enhancing the
quality and relevance of educa-
tion, research and intercultural
exchange within higher educa-
tion in Africa.
The Intra-ACP Mobility scheme
comprises eight African HEIs-
chosen on the basis of their aca-
demic strengths and diversity of
postgraduate studies on offer,
one technical partner and three
associates (the Justus Liebig
University Giessen, the Namibia
Qualifications Authority and the
Santander Group-European Uni-
versities Network).
The Poly is the coordinating HEI.
Application procedures are set
out at:
http://tinyurl.com/nrjvo68

CENTRE FOR OPEN & LIFELONG LEARNING (COLL)
The Polytechnic has been at the forefront of using tech-
nology in all its operations and teaching and learning
are no exceptions. As the institution transforms into
the Namibia University of Science and Technology, it is im-
perative that innovative learning technological solutions are
implemented.
One such innovation is Augmented Reality (AR). AR applica-
tions allow for the integration of interactive digital media into
print media to enhance the way we experience and work with
traditional print documents such as newspapers, brochures,
flyers, textbooks and study guides. Layar is one such applica-
tion that facilitates the incorporation of AR into static print.
The Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning (COLL) integrated
the Layar application into one of its distance education study
guides as a means of enriching the students’ experiences
while studying.
According to Antoinette Wentworth, Coordinator: Course-
ware Production at the COLL, the study guide is complement-
ed with greater student engagement, embraces connectivity,
extends the ‘life’ of print and encourages and maintains the
large number of students studying on the distance education
mode.
Part of COLL’s vision is to weaken the distinct line between
traditional print and online learning modes. Says Dr Delvaline
Möwes, Director of COLL: “The introduction of Layar will play
a vital role in the smooth transitioning of these two learning
modes by adding multi-media to print content.
“The aim of the launch was to showcase the capabilities of
this emerging technology in education, with specific empha-
sis on open and distance learning.”
At the launch of the Layar App in July, it was evident through
brief testimonies and demonstrations, that we can capitalise
on technology in an innovative and cost effective manner to
ensure that our students are prepared to work in today’s ever
changing knowledge economy.
Download the Layar App and scan this image for other
projects that COLL is undertaking. Click here to download the
Layar App.
COLL enhances
e-learning with
Augmented
Reality

Human Resources Department
Y
our health is your most important asset.
Consequently, due to the fact that many
people are spending most of their day sitting
at a desk or inside an office, implementing health
programmes inside the workplace has become a vital
piece of the healthy lifestyle puzzle. This is why the
Human Resources Department initiated this day to
promote health among the staff of the Polytechnic.
Why is wellness important for staff?
Workplace wellness programmes should be viewed
as an investment. Employees are the most impor-
tant asset to any organisation. Therefore, workplace
wellness programmes can benefit the organisation in
many ways. These include:
• Attracting talented workers
• Reducing absenteeism
• Improving on-the-job utilisation
• Improving employee morale
• Reducing turnover
•Improved disease management.
“Frank Smith,”
announced the judge, “for breaking into a
house in the middle of the night, I sentence you to two years
in prison.”
“But Your Honour,” pleaded Smith, “last time I was in court you sentenced me
to a year in jail for breaking into a house in the day! If not in the middle of
the night, and not in the middle of the day, just when am I sup-
posed to earn my living?”
Working Joke
Employee Relations
Areas of change (internal
and external)
T
he Institution will continuously attempt
to identify areas of change in the work-
place by monitoring and auditing the in-
ternal and external industrial relations environ-
ment, with regard to political, social, economic
development and climate, employment indices
such as labour turnover, disciplinary and griev-
ances statistics and salary surveys.
The Institution believes that this is necessary in
order to ensure that change comes about with
the least possible disruption to production and
development.
HR promotes staff wellness
News from the Human Resources Department to all non-Namibian
staff members.
By Rolanda V.Lyners, Manager: HR Operations
A
s part of the transitional process, it has been
agreed that all non-Namibian staff members
whose contracts will be renewed between 1
May 2014 and 31 December 2014, will still have the
option to choose between gratuity or pension.
The remuneration packages of both Namibian and
non-Namibian staff members are the same and
include the 18% for pension. The 18% for Namibians
was paid over to the pension fund whereas for
non-Namibians only 10% was deducted for gratuity.
Non-Namibian staff members who wish to
change from gratuity to pension therefore have to
contribute 7% of their basic salary to the pension fund
and a further 18% of their basic salary will be deducted
and paid over to the pension fund.
Please contact Ms Rolanda V. Lyners on ext. 2234 if you
need any more clarity in this regard.
Human Resources Policies -
Pension for Non-Namibian Staff Members

Human Resources Department
Welcome
We are delighted that you joined us! Your contribution is important to en-
sure our sustained success and growth. Moreover, we hope that your ca-
reer here will be a gratifying one that will provide you with maximum support
from the whole team. We look forward to having the best relations with you.
K
udos to the HR Department for its efforts to ensure that new staff mem-
bers get off to the best possible start at the Poly!
The Department has, over the years, placed great emphasis on assisting
new staff to build up positive working relationships and to define their roles with-
in their new teams, through an induction programme.
An induction programme is:
“The process used within many businesses to welcome new employees to the
company and prepare them for their new role. Induction training should include
development of theoretical and practical skills, but also meet interaction needs
that exist among the new employees.” Wikipedia, 2014
Managers are encouraged to engage with employees during the early period of
employment. According to Rolanda Lyners, Operations Manager in the Depart-
ment, “The manager-employee relationship has a critical impact on performance
as it helps with building strong relationships; promoting buy-in to shared goals;
and minimises the risk of losing talent as a result of dissatisfaction.”
HR has added campus tours to the induction programme which, according to Yat-
va-Ashande Hinda, the newly appointed International Relations Officer, makes
adjusting to a new environment so much easier. “It made me more comfortable
with my new work environment,” she said.
With regard to the campus tour, Yatva has suggested that the tour be started
from the end (NBIC), working towards the main campus. Your suggestion is duly
noted, Yatva.
Calistus Mahinidi, a Junior Lecturer in the Department: Accounting, Economics
and Finance, added: “It was very informative and I really appreciated it as I felt
welcome to the Poly in a professional way. All questions that I may have had,
even those that I did not think of, but were raised by others, were answered.
I enjoyed the campus tour and was particularly impressed with the facilities on
campus.”
Dr Serge Neossi, a lecturer in the Department: Mathematics and Statistics, said it
was the first time that he had experienced such a programme. He was impressed
by HR’s efforts to make sure that every new member feels at home. “It was quite
informative and I met new people.
“The campus tour was wonderful. It is really a blessing to have such programmes
for people who are new and have to start a new life,” he added.
With a backup of well-versed Human Resources personnel, an enterprise can ex-
pect to strive for bigger goals through its able manpower. Studies show that 15%
of a company’s success is due to technical skills and 85% due to the skills in human
engineering.
Calistus Mahinidi is a Junior Lecturer in the Department: Ac-
counting, Economics and Finance. He worked as an Accoun-
tant for United Africa Group (UAG) prior to joining the Poly
family. Calistus holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
Sciences from the University of South Africa and is currently
working towards completing his professional certification
with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
(CIMA).
Yatva-Ashande Hinda, or simply Yatva, joined the Interna-
tional Relations Department in early July as an International
Relations Officer. Hailing from the capital of the South, Keet-
manshoop, she recently returned from Port Elizabeth, South
Africa, where she had been studying and working. She is
currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Corporate Com-
munications.
Dr Serge Neossi Nguetchue lectured Mathematics at the
University of Pretoria for almost six years prior to joining
the Poly. He obtained his PhD in 2009 at the University of
the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. “What brought me to
the Polytechnic was an advertisement in a newspaper called
Southern Times. I was interested in joining an African insti-
tution that is transforming into a University of Science and
Technology. I thought to myself: ‘This is where I can bring my
contribution to the development of the continent by training
the leaders of tomorrow.’ God bless Africa.”
New staff commend induction programme
Some of the new staff members during the campus tour
From left to right: Oksana Kachepa, Elock Shikalepo, Ingrid Mgohagulema, Serge Neossi Nguetchue, Linus Kambeyo, Yatva-Ashande Hinda, Herman
Kandjimi,, Celina Awala, Nwagbara Victor Uzoma.

Staff Matters
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
1 Clayton Starke
Colen Tuaundu
2 Karen Salhus
3 Yolanda Lyamine
4 Oscar Elago
Maria Ugulu
5 Martha Khoeses
6 Renaldo Xoagub
Pradeep Kumar
Wisdom Nyagormey
Juliet Pasi
7 Zacchaeus Oyedokun
Victor Chirwa
Jana Jagodick
Mario Tripoli
8 Vera de Cauwer
Helmi Hitula
Joseph Lewis
9 Ottilie Nelago
Errol Tyobeka
10 Jean Prinz
Johannes Shiyaka
11 Karoline du Plessis
Mbaunguraije Tjikuzu
Amanda Schroeder
13 Margaret Bennett
Soleil Prollius
Richard Alcock
Anna Shimpanda
14 Shirley Bethane
15 Ingrid Ngarizemo
Jimmy Nel
Rajaram Swaminathan
16 Martin Farmer
Mirjam Shihepo
18 Colin Stanley
Hendriena Shiyandja
Paulus Hipodoka
19 Rusalia Ngolo
Epafras Shilongo
Hilja Haufiku
20 Riekie Boois
Judith Shipa
Richard Williams
22 Damalie Najuuko
24 Niikowa Namate
Frank Mulungu
Carva Pop
John Paul Williams
26 Juliet Eiseb
Seriena Delie
27 Saara Mungungu
Emmanuel Milijala
Dirkie Mikhudumu
Antonia Goliath
Isobel Green
28 Rodgel Strauss
Gideon Kalumbu
Antonia Lusakalalu
Fiina Shimaneni
29 Munyaradzi Zivuku
Aron Nekongo
30 Thulha Frans
Brenda Kaumbangere
31 Nikanor Abiatar
Petrus Usiku
On your Birthday see how many more horizons you have to conquer, how many
more dreams to live, how many more happy times to witness and how many
more milestone to achieve in life. The Poly is delighted to wish you a Happy
Birthday!
On Campus
july 2014
FASHION

Let’s add your public
event to these
SOCIAL
arenas
Contact Department: Marketing, Communications and Alumni (DCM&A) - Phone: +264 61 2072225 E-mail: dcm@polytechnic.edu.na
FOR MORE INFO ON ABOVE ADS... VISIT YOUR ‘ANNOUNCEMENTS TO ALL’ INBOX
CED
DOS
LIBRARY
DEPT LANGUAGES
13 AUGITS down-
time o cir-
culation of
library items
15 AUGM
r &
M
sPoly@
18:00
AUG
CALL for
Articles -
NAWA close
15 Oct
21-22 AUG
SKILLS AUDIT
& TRAINING
NEEDSANALYSIS
WORKSHOP
Ad Space for your upcoming event!
Stay updated by visiting your Inbox - ‘Announcements to All’, frequently!
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Staff eNEWSLETTER July'14

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