Learners Explore the World of Medical Laboratory Sciences
The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) programme under NUST’s Department of Clinical Health Sciences recently welcomed 33 Grade 6 and 7 learners from Berg Op Academy, Okahandja, for an engaging career-exposure visit. The initiative forms part of the programme’s community engagement efforts, aimed at sparking early interest in health sciences.
The day began with a warm welcome from MLS Programme Coordinator, Belinda Tsauses, who emphasised the importance of exposing young learners to science-based careers. “Opportunities like this spark curiosity and give learners a glimpse of how science impacts everyday health and wellbeing,” she said.
Learners then explored three specialised laboratories. In the human anatomy and physiology lab, Dr Oiva Kamati delivered an interactive talk on the human organ system, underscoring the vital role laboratory scientists play in disease diagnosis and management. “Behind 70% of medical diagnoses lies a scientist working in the lab,” he noted.
In the haematology lab, learners had the rare chance to peer through microscopes to observe human blood cells—an eye-opening experience for many seeing “living science” in action for the first time. The tour concluded in the microbiology lab, where learners discovered how bacteria grow on agar plates and witnessed the dramatic difference between unwashed and washed hands—reinforcing the importance of hygiene in preventing disease.
The visit left a lasting impression. One Grade 7 learner reflected: “Today I saw how scientists protect lives without even being in the hospital.” An accompanying teacher added: “Our learners were amazed to see how interesting this profession is.”
Looking ahead, the MLS programme plans to host Berg Op Academy again and extend the initiative to more primary and secondary schools. By opening its doors, NUST continues to strengthen community ties while inspiring the next generation of scientists.
