The Honourable Minister Nangolo Mbumba, Minister of Education on 16th March 2010, made a brief visit to the Neudamm Campus, University of Namibia to make a follow up with regards to the progress made with the merger between the former Agricultural Colleges and the University of Namibia. The Minister and his PA, Mr Kavari were welcomed and received by the Executive Dean, Dr. Martin Schneider, Deputy Dean (Neudamm Campus), Prof. Edosa Omoregie, Faculty Management team, representatives from the workers committee and members of the Student Representative Council. After the introduction, the Executive Dean gave a brief overview about FANR’s administrative and academic operations. The visit included a tour of Neudamm’s Library, the Department of Food Science and Technology Laboratories, a meeting with the Animal Science Masters of Science in Regional Rangeland Management students, a visit to Neudamm’s, dairy processing plant and small stock section.

The Minister addressed both students and staff members of the faculty. He advised students to study hard as they are the future leaders of the country. The minister explained that the rationale for Teacher Training Colleges to merge with the University is to consolidate and streamline resources and to “put the colleges on a higher level”. He mentioned that Neudamm Campus is an important example where the merger created additional infrastructure opportunities for the University to expand its services to the whole of Namibia. It is now up to those involved to capitalize on the newly formed opportunities. The Executive Dean informed the minister that having just gone through the challenges of merger; the faculty is well placed to share its experiences with the faculty of education. The minister welcomed the suggestion but also stated that he would like Neudamm to not only be viewed as an academic institution but rather retain its unique identity of providing practical agricultural training and as an experimental and research station, involved with small and large stock breeding.  He encouraged staff members to continue the good teaching culture at the University and to form links with initiatives which his Ministry has setup such as the Community Skills Development Centre (COSDEC) programmes.

The visit ended at about 11h00 with refreshments served and farm produce from Neudamm operations were handed over to the Minister’s delegation.

Click here to listen to the message of the Honourable Minister of Education Nangolo Mbumba  (play)       

The Executive Dean, Dr Martin Schneider and Deputy Dean (Neudamm Campus), Prof Edosa Omoregie of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources welcoming the Honorable Minister Nangolo Mbumba.	Mr Vries a representative of the workers committee shaking hands with the Minister.
The Farm Administrator, Mr Edmond Beukes, Campus Administrator. Mrs Amanda Lubbe greeting the Honorable Minister	Ms Theresa Andowa guiding the minister through Neudamm’s library and Computer laboratory
Mr Jonas Chigariro had an Agricultural Engineering lecture in progress   during the ministers visit	Mr Stephen Barrion describing the ingredients used for students
Dr Peter Bille demonstrating the operations practicals at the Food Science and Technology laboratories of the milk pasteurizer at the Neudamm dairy plant	Dr Tefera Bayene explaining the Master of Science in Rangeland
Mr Edmond Beukes showing the minister goats being prepared Resources Management (M Sc RRM) programme to the minster for an auction	Farm produce from the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Members of Neudamm’s Student Representative Council’s with the  honorable minister