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Seaborne measurements of near infrared water-leaving reflectance: The similarity spectrum for turbid waters.
No full textTheory and seaborne measurements are presented for the near infrared (NIR: 700–900 nm) water-leaving reflectance in turbid waters. According to theory, the shape of the NIR spectrum is determined largely by pure water absorption and is thus almost invariant. A ‘‘similarity’’ NIR reflectance spectrum is defined by normalization at 780 nm. This spectrum is calculated from seaborne reflectance measurements and is compared with that derived from laboratory water absorption measurements. Factors influencing the shape of the similarity spectrum are analyzed
theoretically and by radiative transfer simulations. These simulations show that the similarity spectrum is valid for waters ranging from moderately turbid (e.g., water-leaving reflectance at 780 nm of order 1024 or total
suspended matter concentration of order 0.3 g m23) to extremely turbid (e.g., reflectance at 780 nm of order 1021 or total suspended matter of order 200 g m23). Measurement uncertainties are analyzed, and the air-sea interface correction is shown to be critical for low reflectances. Applications of the NIR similarity spectrum to atmospheric correction of ocean color data and to the quality control of seaborne, airborne, and spaceborne reflectance measurements in turbid waters are outlined
Impacts of trade on SADC economies: Some evidence from Angola.
No full textPaper presented at the International Conference on African Development: What role for Business? Accra, Ghana.Impacts of selected macroeconomic variables on the economy of Angola are analysed in this study. Using a combination of simple and multiple regression models, we established the effect of these macroeconomic variables on the economic performance of Angola. Utilising time series data for the period 1980 to 2005, the results of the study indicate that exports undeniably play a critical role in the growth of the Angolan economy. In addition to other policy options, that were put forward, the paper recommends an outward looking industrialisation strategy for the economy of Angola, including the other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. The direction for further research on the issue under investigation is also strongly recommended
Strategic management of HIV/AIDS-affected personnel in confined work places and environs: Focus on staff of the Namibian Security Forces.
No full textFinal submission, with amendments, of a paper presented at a conference, Windhoek, 2006.This paper assesses the management of HIV/AIDS in the Namibian Security Force from policy environment and work assignments levels. An attempt is made to characterize the security force members in terms of how operational and strategic policy directives impact their lives, behaviour patterns and relationships in both pre and post-HIV/AIDS conditions. Special attention is directed on the effect of location of the security forces, especially in resettlements and informal communal settings. The paper concludes with strategic policy recommendations for management of HIV/AIDS-infected and affected security force personnel for optimum performance and quality of life
Institutional reform measures within the Namibian public sector to ensure accelerated service delivery.
No full textDuring 2006, Namibia not only celebrated 16 years of independence, but the people of Namibia also witnessed a smooth transition of presidential power, in a peaceful, democratic and constitutional manner. The newly elected President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, committed himself and his government to accelerated service delivery. In contrast to all these positive developments within Namibia, the people of Namibia have also witnessed an increase in corruption, maladministration and poor service delivery over the last few years. In this regard this paper will briefly focus on service delivery within Namibia, as well as the positive and negative developments regarding service delivery that have taken place over the last 16 years. Thereafter a brief discussion will follow, which will identify the measures the government of the Republic of Namibia has implemented on institutional level to address these maladies and ensure accelerated service delivery. The measure put in place is the principle of ministerial accountability in accordance with the Namibian Constitution: addressing corruption directly; ensuring that public enterprises operate effectively and efficiently as socio-economic development catalysts; and to establish sound labour relations. The need to contain good communication lines between all social partners was recognised and amendments were made to the Public Service Act, 1995 (Act 13 of 1995) to streamline the disciplinary procedures under the Act
Assessing potential to produce final ocean colour maps of Namibia`s marine environment: Final report for BCLME/UNOPS PCU/POLYTECH/05/01 MODIS.
No full textOptimising learning outcome via project-baased learning in the production of technicians.
No full textPaper presented at the 9th International Conference on Engineering Education, M3G-23, 23-28 July 2006, San Juan PR.The Department of Electrical Engineering
runs a multi-exit level programs where student can obtain a National Diploma or the Bachelor of Technology. One of the requirements of the program is for graduates to be industry-ready and globally marketable. Project-based learning was adopted in the Department to produce graduates that are nationally relevant, industry compliant
and globally marketable. Design Project 3 is one such course that gives the graduates an apex outcome and a cutting edge advantage in the market place. This was designed to improve employability of the graduates
Unethical practices: Bane of effective enterprise management.
No full textFinal submission of paper presented at a conference.There is no human endeavour that does not require proper management for its proper functioning. Every organisation whether small, medium or big, requires good corporate governance to function effectively. Furthermore, businesses are guided by rules, regulations and policies that shape and control employees’ behaviour. Once these rules are violated, objectives of the business may be jeopardised and consequent, enterprise collapse in the long run. Ethical conduct of business is non-negotiable if entrepreneurs desire growth and sustainability.
It is against this background that this paper attempts to appraise causes of unethical behaviour and its resultant effects on entrepreneurship development. Furthermore, the paper examines the roles of the entrepreneur and the employees, with a view of specifically addressing the strategies and mechanisms that can be put in place to minimise the trend of corrupt practices in the conduct of business
The role of open and distance learning in institutional transformation: The NUST experience.
No full textNOLNet Open and Distance Learning Conference (1st : 2005 Aug. 30 - Sep. 1 : Windhoek, Namibia)Open learning through distance education has come to be accepted as a well-recognised mode of education and training relevant to, and necessary for meeting the emerging demands of the Namibian society. Areas until now unreached by the conventional education system are gradually being taken care of by the open learning system in Namibia.
This paper reports on the changed nature of the role of universities in developing countries. Specifically, the author argues that the NUST, while remaining a university of academic excellence and creative thought, was prepared to transform its conventional role of transferring knowledge to the number of students it could accommodate in classrooms. The NUST, through its Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning, has become within the short period of ten years an institution that seeks to provide knowledge and academic expertise to a much wider community than could be reached through on-campus teaching. The NUST can now, through distance learning techniques and open learning philosophies, reach out to the whole community in which it serves. This required not only new initiatives and approaches to teaching and delivering degrees, but also an acceptance that the most sophisticated concepts can be taught in formats that off-campus students can understand. The NUST transformed into a truly dual-mode university, recognising the equal importance of open and lifelong learning programmes to the more conventional programmes of full-time on-campus studies and research.
Through its Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning the NUST indicates that open and distance learning has the ability to provide a rich learning environment in a flexible, effective and interactive manner, provided careful design and implementation approaches are adopted. This paper specifically examines the recent initiatives and the major design and implementation strategies at the Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning. The author concludes that the Centre’s initiatives have clearly proven that there can be little doubt that instructional design and provision of sound administrative and academic support can effectively meet the training needs of off-campus students and is at the centre of quality distance education
Can mouse and keyboard chase out chalk and blackboard in engineering education?
No full textNOLNet Open and Distance Learning Conference (1st : 2005 Aug. 30 - Sep. 1 : Windhoek, Namibia)The face-to-face method of instruction has dominated the teaching arena from time immemorial. However the rapid advances in information, computer and communication technology is rapidly changing the mode of knowledge transfer from teacher to learner. Remote classrooms and the virtual environment has seen the distribution of learning in time and space. However, there are challenges that must be faced in order for this mode of teaching to permeate all corners of knowledge transfer. There has been some resistance to adopting virtual classroom in practical-intensive, equation-laden courses. This paper discusses strategies that may be employed to surmount the hurdles. It shows that developing a digital learning suite is a prerequisite to successful floating of laboratory and/or equation intensive courses. The digital learning suite is a prerequisite to floating engineering courses in a virtual learning platform where the chalk and blackboard has been replaced by mouse and keyboard
The impact of trade on Africa: Empirical evidence from Zimbabwe.
No full textPaper presented at the International Conference on International Aid.The research addresses empirically the Export-led Growth Hypothesis (ELGH) using Zimbabwe as a laboratory test ground. This research work attempts to provide some evidence in this regard by examining the influence of trade on economic growth in the economy and ascertaining if the regressors utilised are good predictors of growth. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method is resorted in order to estimate the specified equations used in the study. The time-series data utilized runs from 1991 to 2003. The results of the study confirm the existence of the export-led growth model in Zimbabwe. In the face of continual instability in its export receipts, we recommend that fundamental economic and political restructuring should be embarked upon in order to address and subsequently reverse the current situation that Zimbabwe finds itself. Finally, it is envisaged that the results arising from this study would be useful to the other economies of Africa, especially in their export drive