From Office Admin to Project Coordinator in Research

...at NUST, possibilities are endless

One of the many advantages of being a staff member at NUST is the opportunity for personal and professional growth. Employees and their dependents benefit from tuition fee exemptions when enrolling in programmes at NUST or at  University of Namibia (UNAM). These benefits aim to promote improved job performance, increased morale, and greater career advancement prospects.

Over the years, NUST has invested in the lives of thousands of employees and their families—educating generations and transforming futures. One such story is that of Christine Aitana, who will graduate this May 2025 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE), offered by the Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education.

Early Career

Christine began her career at NUST in June 2016 with a Bachelor of Office Managment and Technology obtained from the Polytechnic of Namibia. She joined the then Programme Development Unit (PDU) as an Office Administrator, where she got her first glimpse into the dynamic world of academia. That experience sparked a desire to grow both academically and diversify her qualifications. Determined to further her education, she enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration at UNAM, Namibia Business School (NBS), which she obtained in 2017. In 2020, she enrolled for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship at UNAM, NBS, obtained in 2022.

To fund her studies, Christine utilised one of the unique staff benefits at NUST - the option to encash leave days for tuition fees at an institution of choice.

“At the peak of my MBA studies, the world was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” she recalls. “During the day, I was committed to my job, and after hours, I had to remain on campus, disciplined to complete my degree. I remember staying late on campus, then having to rush home before the curfew”.

A Career on the Rise

While completing her MBA, a new opportunity opened up; a position of an Administrator and Accounting Assistant on a newly launched project; SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (SGSP-IWRM) towards end of 2021. The project is housed within the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP). Christine applied and was selected for the role.

“I learnt so much from the programme, and the exposure and support I received from the leadership is beyond words,” she says. After graduating with an MBA degree, Christine registered for the PGDHE programme in 2024, again utilising the staff tuition benefit.

Another Milestone

Fast forward to April 2025, another opportunity : for a Project Coordinator: Research, at the Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of  School (HP-GSB) at NUST opened up. Christine applied and she was once again successful. “I prayed and took a leap of faith. I was humbled and grateful when I got the news. ”I will always cherish the opportunities that NUST has offered me.”

A Culture of Growth

Majory Mukasa, Manager for Talent Acquisition and Remuneration, underscores NUST’s commitment to staff development: “As a higher education institution, it is essential that we invest in our people and cultivate top talent. This commitment extends beyond education; it is about empowering global citizens who can contribute meaningfully to both national and international development. At NUST, we believe in fostering an environment where every individual can thrive, and we are dedicated to supporting our staff in their journey towards excellence.”