16 Mar 2015

A technical working group comprising of a number of institutions is working to establish the Botswana Academy of Sciences (BAS). 

A press release from Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) stated that the Botswana Academy of Sciences would represent science and scholarship in Botswana. 

The technical working group comprised the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), the University of Botswana (UB) and the Department of Research, Science and Technology (DRST) at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology. 

It further said the organisation was being established within the framework that science, scientific knowledge and scientific progress were vital to advance human welfare and development. 

The overall objective of the BAS is to promote and apply scientific knowledge in the service of society in Botswana. It will also apply scientific knowledge to societal challenges with a view to realise full developmental and intellectual capacity, endeavor to inspire, promote and recognise excellence in scientific and technical practice by Botswana Scientists, strengthen the global position and role of scientific research performed by Botswana scientists and to ensure that research is conducted in areas or on questions of special importance to science or the nation in Botswana.

The release stated that within Africa, there are 17 countries with established Academies; some of these include some of the top African countries in terms of research and innovation. 

There is also an umbrella Academy, The African Academy of Sciences that represents the voice of science in Africa, states the release. It said it was in this regard that the Botswana founding committee was inviting the scientific community to a meeting to discuss the establishment of BAS. 

The meeting will be held on April 1 at the Centre for Continuing Education at UB main campus. Registration could be done at the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), Department of Research, Science and Technology (DRST) at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology and the University of Botswana (UB). 

For registration details, BITRI says people should go to their facebook page or website at www.bitri.co.bw ENDS