Visit of His Excellency President Pierre Nkurunziza and Honourable bernard esau, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources to Neudamm Campus

• STEPHEN BARRION

The President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza on the 28th April 2010, made an historic visit to the Neudamm Campus of the University. President Nkurunziza was the first foreign Head of State to visit the campus. His visit was part of the official engagement of the President of Namibia, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba   to explore possible co-operation between Namibia and Burundi in the areas of Agriculture, Health, Trade and Investment. The president was accompanied by Namibia’s Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Honourable Minister Bernard Esau and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The president and his entourage were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lazarus Hangula who introduced the faculty management team, members of staff and the Student Representative Council (Neudamm Campus). There after a brief welcoming ceremony was held in the Main Hall. Prof. Hangula gave the welcoming remarks and a brief history of the University including the successes of the University within the short period of its existence. The Executive Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Martin B. Schneider gave an overview of the Faculty’s academic programmes and farming activities. His Excellency, President Nkurunziza and his entourage accompanied by the Faculty Management team toured the Campus.  

Places visited included Neudamm’s Library and student computer laboratories, the Department of Food Science and Technology laboratories, the Dairy Production Unit, small and large stock section and finally the piggery. In all the units visited the president and his entourage were briefed on the activities within the various units.

The visit ended at about 12h30 with the president expressing gratitude to the University for the warm reception and guided tour of the campus. He equally expressed his desires of the National University of Burundi entering into collaboration with the University of Namibia for academic purposes.

His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza received by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia  , Prof. Lazarus Hangula and meeting Faculty Management	Prof. Hangula (Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia) welcoming the president and giving a brief history and the successes of the University
The Executive Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Martin B. Schneider delivering the presentation of the Faculty's academic programmes and farming activities	Ms Tjituka (Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Librarian) taking the president through the Neudamm Library
Third year Food Science and Technology students demonstrating processing marmalade to the President	Dr. Peter Bille (Senior Lecturer-Food Science and Technology) describing the value addition and milk processing facilities at the Neudamm Dairy Production Unit
Mr Edmond Beukes (the Farm Administrator) showing the large stock section	Mr Edmond Beukes (the Farm Administrator) showing small stock section
Mr Edmond Beukes (the Farm Administrator) showing the piggery	Mrs Amanda Lubbe (the Campus Administrator) pointing out the Hostels to Prof. Hangula
Prof. Hangula (the Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia) having a chat with the Honourable Minister Bernard Esau	His Excellency, President Nkurunziza thanking the Executive Dean, Dr Martin Schneider
His Excellency, President Nkurunziza thanking Mr Edmond Beukes (the Farm Administrator)