Kisco Sinvula
GISDE/M.A. '02

1. Please describe your present professional position? Please include the URL of your organization.

At the moment I am working in City and Regional Planning Ph.D. studies at Cardiff University in Whales, United Kingdom. Before I came to the UK, I was a lecturer in the Department of Land Management at the Polytechnic of Namibia (known as Namibia's University of Science and Technology.

2. What do you find satisfying about your position?

I am a full-time first year Ph.D. student and I am enjoying reading more on simulation modeling. This is my contemporary research interest and it's great to learn what world simulation scientists have actually produced.

3. How did the GISDE program at Clark University help to prepare you?

Allow me to admit the fact that before I came to Clark University, as an undergraduate, I used to hear my lecturers talk of GIS and we never had any GIS courses in our program. So, I never had any clue about what this "animal" GIS was all about until I started to search masters programs in GIS. Upon completion of this program in '02, I went back to Namibia and just within a week of arrival the Department of Land Management employed me as a part-time lecturer in their GIS courses. I was the youngest lecturer in the whole institution and in February 2003, they employed me full-time. At the same time, I was given the task to design and develop all GIS courses in the department and the Polytechnic of Namibia became the first institution to implement GIS courses in Land Management. This perspective validates the power of the Geographical Information Systems course and the impact it has after completion.

4. Why should prospective students enroll in the GISDE program at Clark University?

The GISDE program at Clark University is one of the best programs I have ever attended in my life. The structure of the program is well organized and very systematic. The lecturing staff is very competent and friendly too and the courses are so great. You feel good and happy for the knowledge and skills acquired. The GISDE program is fully equipped with technology and the world's best GIS software. As a matter of fact, you will be close to the home of Idrisi and CartLinx.

5. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to say that I miss Clark University. As a new Ph.D. student at Cardiff, I will keep in touch with some Professors like Gil Pontius to learn more about simulation modeling because this is a good staff.