The Multicultural Practicum Groups and Internationalisation of Teacher Education (MUPIT) exchange project, a collaboration between the University of Namibia (UNAM) and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN) in Hamar, Norway, officially concluded end of 2024.
The programme, which formed part of a long-standing South-North partnership, was designed to provide student-teachers with international exposure – both for those who travelled abroad and those who engaged locally with international peers.
A highlight of this collaboration was the symposium held at the SANORD 2024 Conference at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) from 04 – 06 December 2024. The symposium, aligned with the conference theme “Solidarity and Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” featured five presentations led by academics and students from both UNAM and INN.
UNAM lecturers, from the Department of Intermediate & Vocational Education, in attendance included Ivy Heyman van Wyk, Collin Tjitemisa (Coordinator and the Convener of the Symposium), Narenda Hoepfner and Jessica Jansen, alongside their Norwegian counterparts, Knut Øystein Høvik and Jørgen Klein. Prof. Dr. Kenneth Matengu, UNAM’s Vice Chancellor was also in attendance.
Student Perspectives on Teaching and Multiculturalism
Namibian students Meloline Herunga and Matias Ntinda showcased their insights through a poster presentation focused on pedagogy, inclusivity, classroom organisation and cultural experiences. Their Norwegian counterpart, Solveig Brusdal Hamstad, whom they had met during their teaching placement in Norway, presented her research on Namibian students’ perspectives on English language teaching in Norway.
Jessica Jansen, Lecturer: Lower Primary Education, reflecting on the exchange programme, stated: “This initiative has not only enriched our students academically but has also shaped their global perspectives. They return home with a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity in education and a stronger commitment to inclusive teaching.”
The Head of Early Childhood Education and Care, Dr. Taimi Nghikembua, highlighted the importance of conference participation for academic growth: “Engaging in international conferences enhances research capacity. It allows students and lecturers to share knowledge, broaden their academic networks, and gain fresh insights that improve teaching methodologies.”
For students like Meloline Herunga, the experience was both eye-opening and transformative: “Presenting at an international conference boosted my confidence as a future educator. Seeing how different education systems approach inclusivity and pedagogy has given me new ideas to apply in Namibian classrooms.”
Matias Ntinda echoed this sentiment, adding: “This opportunity has allowed me to reflect on how we can make learning environments in Namibia more engaging and culturally responsive. I’ve learned that small changes in teaching approaches can have a huge impact on learners’ experiences.”
As UNAM continues fostering global academic collaborations, participation in platforms such as SANORD ensures that Namibian educators remain at the forefront of research-driven, multicultural teaching approaches.
