The CUT delegation, which represented various fields such as electrical engineering, computing, product development, and research and innovation, met their NUST counterparts.

FRONT ROW: Prof Alfred Ngowi, CUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (third from left); and Dr Tjama Tjivikua, NUST Vice-Chancellor (fourth from left), pictured with staff from both institutions.The two universities share a similar history of transforming from technikon to university. “We have many sound partnerships with various South African universities, especially the former technikons. We certainly belong to the same network of universities and we are looking forward to working with CUT,” remarked Dr Tjama Tjivikua, the NUST Vice-Chancellor.

Partnerships enhance an institution’s image, thus attracting more funding and partnerships, and quality staff and students.

Prof Alfred Ngowi, the CUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, who led the visiting delegates, said: “It is unlikely that one university can have all the resources it needs at its disposal. Therefore, partnerships are the way forward for development to take place.” Ngowi added that innovation is the core strength of CUT.

The NUST staff spoke extensively about the functions of the Namibia Energy Institute (NEI), which is one of the Institution’s Centres of Excellence.

The NEI in collaboration with other stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, has registered significant strides in as far as adoption of renewable energy technologies is concerned.

Another topic on the agenda was the Three Dimensional (3D) printing or additive manufacturing. This is a process of making 3D solid objects from a digital file. CUT, through its Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing has made progress in creating prostheses for medical implants, whilst NUST, through the Fabrication Laboratory (FABlab), has made inroads by creating a platform for entrepreneurs to make drone parts amongst others.