Namibia and SA Collaborate in Empowering Design Project

Women are doing big things, and the latest Polar Project in collaboration with the Durban University of Technology (DUT)’s faculty for art and design and the Namibia University of Science and Technology’ FabLab proves just that.

This student exchange was defined as a way to “boost new product development innovation across study fields towards student entrepreneurial venture development”.

Although the products being designed are a secret for now, the students will combine their skills and eventually have an exhibition in Durban for a Digifest in November, although the project was only launched on 18 April.

“I had to apply and add my CV, so the university did research on me,” computing and informatics student Deborah Ajibola said. “Our role is to bring the technological aspect to the project.

The guys from the DUT are into fashion, particularly one interior designer and two fashion designers.”

Alongside her, Stefanie Garises and Julia Ndjene, also from NUST, have been selected to take part in the Polar Project. Altogether, the Namibian and South African teams form Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (Steam).

Speaking on the importance of an inclusive women’s project, Ajibola said more women should take part. “I feel like we’re living in the 21st century, but women still have this mindset that technology and engineering are meant for men. We need to keep up and and get out of that mindset.

We are also able to perform. Women are multi-taskers.”

As a part of a social exchange, the students are expected to host each other in their home countries, so that they can broaden their knowledge and be exposed to different environments.

“I believe that this is important because even though there is an influx of women entering the field, we are still out-numbered by the males in the industry. Women generally think differently from men and I think that the Steam industries need the diversity that a female mind can contribute,” Garises said.

And with this project, the group gets to up their game and improve their skills. “I feel privileged to be a part of the Steam project,” Ndjene told The Weekender. “I strongly believe that this project will pave my way into the industry. Not only will it expose me to my field-related environment, it is also a great opportunity for me to build up my skills on group work, time management and researching.”

She also mentioned that the collaboration with a different culture allows her to learn even more about them. “I am interested in learning about what I don’t know and improving my understanding. Hopefully, it will help me improve my academic performance,” Ndjene concluded.

Namibia’s facilitators are Kirstin Wiedow, director of Fablab, and Bjorn Wiedow, the deputy director and industrial product designer at FabLab. The DUT facilitators are Sunthra Moodley, head of department of fashion and textiles, and Khaya Mchunu, a DUT lecturer. The South African participants are Xoliswa Ndovela (interior design), Jessica Shuttleworth and Kiara Gounder (both fashion design).