26 Mar 2014

Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL) has celebrated the third presentation of certificates to graduates of tele-education programmes facilitated by Amity University of India in partnership with BOCODOL.

The executive director of BOCODOL, Dr Daniel Tau said the ceremony marked yet another milestone of collaborative partnership between BOCODOL and Amity University.

A total of 71 graduates were presented with certificates in information technology, finance and investment analysis, finance control and international business, among others.

Dr Tau said, cumulatively, this brought to 152, the total number of Botswana citizens who had benefited from the Pan-African e-Network project and the collaborative venture between Amity and BOCODOL.

He said this was a remarkable achievement that showed significant growth in graduates output, but most significantly, productive efforts towards the empowerment of Batswana in critical skill areas.

The executive director noted that BOCODOL was in a state of transformation towards open university status and required diversified programmes offered through mediation of different technologies. “Tele-education is one such prototype, which has found global acceptance in higher education,” he said.

Dr Tau recognised the contributions of the Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, the Indian government, motivated by the High Commissioner’s recommendation that Botswana was a deserving partner for the Pan African e-Network project initiated and funded by India.

He noted that the initiative was now paying dividends to the human capital development drive in the country.

Dr Tau acknowledged the unwavering support rendered by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation as well as the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Tele-education would remain a pipe dream in the absence of efforts from the respective ministries, he said.

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mogotsi Kewagamang said the occasion was important because it demonstrated how modern ICTs could be successfully used to facilitate teaching and learning.

He said the occasion was a benchmark against which future technology-mediated educational initiatives would be evaluated.

Mr Kewagamang conveyed profound gratitude and appreciation to the people of India for their generous support that continues to accrue to Botswana through the Pan-African e-Network project.

He said it was their desire to capacitate education institutions to a level where they would also attract foreign based students to study in Botswana t through Tele-Education.

The deputy permanent secretary commended BOCODOL for coming up with practical steps towards promotion of equity within the education system and also congratulated the graduates for their commendable efforts.

One graduate, Mpho Tau said that it was not an easy road but they made it and also thanked the government, BOCODOL management, Amity University for the opportunity and all the support. Ends