Close relations of Finland and Namibia over a hundred years
Finland has a great reputation in Namibia, as missionary workers worked with the local people on technological and education issues as early as in beginning of 1900’s. Nobel Prize winner, our former president Martti Ahtisaari was the key negotiator during the Namibia’s independence process. With the mutual understanding and thrust between the countries, it’s easy to build up new projects and co-operation on educational and research.
The co-operation between Rauma, Finland and Namibia started with the building of a new multidisciplinary highly technical research vessel, with modern research capabilities for marine and fisheries research of Namibia by STX Finland Ltd (STX-Fi) from August 2011 to June 2012. This modern and innovative vessel is specially designed for the purposes of Namibian fisheries research.
Improving the maritime education on Namibia (Maribia)
The main aim of “Improving the maritime education on Namibia (Maribia)”-project is to improve the maritime education of Namibia on the higher educational level of Namibia and on the level that can be approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The project is in line with the objectives of Finland’s Development Policy Programme. It supports the maritime cluster of Namibia by promoting the rise and preservation of sustainable jobs in the maritime field. This MARIBIA-project will last to the end of year 2015.
Water project for Horizon2020
Namibia is a large country at over 800 000 km2, with low population number (2.3 million inhabitants) being the driest country south of Sahara desert (Figure 2). Actually, there is more seals 2.7 million than human being in Namibia. The key economic sectors are mining, fishing, tourism and agriculture (most important fish and marine products). All of these sectors depend on a sustainable water supply and sanitation in varying degrees. However, as an example Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, has an average annual rainfall of around 370 mm, while the average evaporation rate is over 3000 mm per annum. The nearest perennial river, the Okavango, is 700 km from the city on the north-eastern border of the country (border with Angola). Windhoek is therefore continuously facing serious water challenges.
In order to address the challenges of sustainable water systems in Namibia, we have put together a consortium of experts to work on these issues. Our proposed project, for Horizon2020, is focused on research, technological innovation, business opportunities, education, tools and methodologies for clean and hygiene water supply and sanitation (including raw water, drinking water, waste water, sea water) in Namibia. An important aspect is the energy, as all parts of operation of water systems need energy for successful operation. Our approach combines innovative technical solutions to local knowledge, operational and effective application of integrated water management in connection to local operators, including policy institutions and implementation bodies. As a practical tool, we have to urban areas as pilot sites: Windhoek, the capital and Walvis Bay municipality (Figure 3). RV Mirabilis is considered as a research vessel for sea water sampling (Figure 1).
Presence is needed on site
However, it should be kept in mind that the way of doing business varies from country to country. For example, in Namibia, the presence on site is very important. Maritime project personnel, as project manager Marva and captain, maritime expert Koivisto with the co-workers have visited Namibia several times since 2012. Project manager Keinänen-Toivola is able to prepare the water project for Horizon2020 on site in Namibia with Kolmiloikalla vaihtovirtaa-project (Figure 4).
Kolmiloikalla vaihtovirtaa- project, a key for successful co-operation
Kolmiloikalla vaihtovirtaa is a mutual project of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and Turku University of Applied Sciences, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The project is a part of the CoastAL cooperation between Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and Turku University of Applied Sciences (www.coastal.fi). It offers the staff of universities of applied sciences the chance to cooperate with their working life partners in an intensive and long-term manner. The Kolmiloikalla vaihtovirtaa project offers two working life exchange options of about three months for the years 2014–2015: Domestic working life exchange and International exchange. The destinations of domestic exchange can be research and development units of companies or sector research facilities. When it comes to international exchange, the RDI units of our strategic international partners or their regional cooperation organizations are recommended as destinations.
Authors
Minna Keinänen-Toivola, Project Manager, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences/ Faculty of Energy and Construction/ WANDER Nordic Water and Materials Institute, minna.keinanen-toivola@samk.fi
Heikki Koivisto, Project Manager, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences/ Faculty of Logistics and Maritime Technology, heikki.koivisto@samk.fi
Meri-Maija Marva, Training Manager, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences/ Faculty of Logistics and Maritime Technology, meri-maija.marva@samk.fi
Martti Latva, Chief Project Manager, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences/ Faculty of Energy and Construction/ WANDER Nordic Water and Materials Institute, martti.latva@samk.fi
