- Polytechnic of Namibia: Schools and Departments
- Issues and condition of the schoolTHE FULBRIGHT EXPERIENCE
Polytechnic of Namibia
September 12 –30, 2005
http:www.polytechnic.edu.na
Presented by:
Claudine SchWeber, Ph.D.
University of Maryland University CollegeNamibiaTHE POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIAPOLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA
Established 1995; Opened 1996
Formerly Tecknion, Academy for Tertiary Education
Prior to 1980 no higher education in Namibia
Focuses on applied science and technology; meeting some needs of Namibia’s economy
Data: 4,066 students: 1,710 full-time
1,454 part-time
902 distance
On campus residents:335 (180 male, 153 female)Polytechnic Schools and Departments
School of Business and Management (67% of students)
School of Engineering & IT (16%)
Natural Resources and Tourism (11%)
Communication, Legal and Secretarial (6%)
Polytechnic Faculty and Staff
173 Academic
201 Administration and Support Staff
Presentations about e-learning, organizational change
Develop a pilot training program for blended e-learning
Train faculty, using Moodle (twice a day, two weeks)
Work closely with School of Engineering and Center for Teaching and Learning
Consult with faculty
Discuss e-learning with U.S. Cultural Center attache’, staff and U.S. Embassy officials
Consult with USAID re: teacher training technology proposal
Remain in continual communication with DM program and online class at UMUC
My ResponsibilitiesPolyheights ApartmentChallenges
Infrastructure Development
Bandwidth: to Internet (external 400 kbps–560 kbps) allocated for entire campus
2/3 lecturers and staff; 1/3 student labs
Internal bandwidth (Poly only) about 100 mbps
Restrict large student downloads and access to some sites
Off-campus dial-up access only; charge by the minuteChallenges, con’t.
Lab Access
19 Labs assigned to departments: IT -11; Accounting -1; Engineering -4; Conservation & Agriculture -3
When labs are not in use for classes → locked (i.e. no student lab assistants)
New library has 6 labs with 55 computers connected;
hope to get 25 more computers
http://elearning.polytechnic.edu.na/My Challenges and Opportunities
Security →Engineering Office +late lab access
No internet connection in apartment
Bandwidth and slow speed → external web, 15-20 minutes to download
Substantial faculty interest and involvement
Student demand for technology integration and lab access is rising
Rector recognizes needAdditional Issues
AIDS
Insufficient public funding for tertiary education, non-scientific oriented funding formula
Need qualified faculty with doctorates, master’s degrees
Permanent appointment only for Namibian citizens
Faculty on 1-5 year resident work permits
Local faculty market still newAdditional Issues con’t.
Student qualifications in reading, writing, etc., needs substantial improvement
Secondary school graduates not adequately prepared for higher education
English often 2ndor 3rdlanguage; Afrikaans or tribal language firstEducational Costs
Tuition –look for “bursaries”
Travel to and from campus, taxi N12
Other: housing, materials, etc.TravelThank You
