The Bush Control and Biomass Utilisation (BCBU) Project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has supported the Namibia University of Science & Technology (NUST) in its endeavour to test innovative, climate-friendly technologies for bush control.
This came within its wider cooperation on bush harvesting and utilisation, in building laboratory capacity research and analysis of bush biomass with an overall value of N$ 1.9 million including laboratory equipment worth 1.3 million. The launching and handover of the NUST BUSH laboratory facilities in the faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, is a very remarkable step in helping the University achieve its objectives.
Speaking at the launch; the acting vice-chancellor, Dr. Andrew Niikondo, was grateful for the support received as it will not only be for the benefit of the institution but also for the country, at large. Niikondo said that; with support from international partners such as GIZ, the University will continue to play leadership role, conduct society needs-based research and development in focused areas. The University strives to not only be involved in teaching and learning, but also to engage in applied research and community service and engagement.
Gerlinde Sauer, counsellor for Development Cooperation, German embassy who was also present at the launch highlighted that; research and development are of specific importance: not only to provide sound scientific evidence, but also to develop innovations that will allow the bush-based biomass-sector in Namibia to thrive further. She emphasised that the support given is designed to enable NUST to become an important stakeholder in developing new and adapted technologies for environmentally friendly value addition of bush biomass in Namibia. Gerlinde encouraged all stakeholders of the biomass sector to explore partnerships for innovation and value addition.
The laboratory equipment will allow NUST firstly to conduct more in-depth research and training for students on bush-related questions and secondly to offer physical and chemical biomass analysis services to the public and the Namibian biomass industry at large.
Director of Forestry, Joseph Hailwa outlined that; as custodian of the BCBU project, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is proud to support the Namibia University of Science and Technology in becoming a leader in bush-biomass research. Hailwa believes that creating laboratory capacities for bush biomass analysis is important to not only do research on the improvement of existing bush products but also to determine the suitability of the material for potential value chains.
The equipment items includes instruments for Biomass testing: furnace for ash & moisture content; Kjeldahl Nitrogen Analyser and Bomb Calorimeter. Instruments for Biomass research includes: Near Infrared Reflection Spectrometer for plastics identification and a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for mechanical properties of materials.