21 Feb 2016

As a way of captivating the interest of students and Batswana in general, Botswana International University of Science Technology (BIUST), visited the Ghanzi East sub Council on a mission to lure and teach Batswana about the importance of science and technology.

Speaking at the council seminar, the chief co-ordinator of science outreach programme, Mr Leapotswe Bantsi said there was a need for interaction and interfacing at the level of the people.

He said the interaction helps communities to see the need and importance of science, explaining that during Science Circus Shows they demonstrate scientifically doable practicals that were eye opening to the people.

Mr Bantsi explained that they exist on a mandate of helping Botswana to move from a resource to a knowledge based economy.
 

“As a university we want to spearhead the economic revolution and this can only be attained if measures such as the Science Circus Shows are taken into consideration,” said Mr Bantsi.

He added that community engagement was profitable because communities were rich in indigenous knowledge and knowledge systems hence taking science to the people.

He urged councillors to encourage their communities to venture into science activities because it could contribute to formulation of innovations which empower communities.

Dr Nonofo Ditshego of BIUST said their intention was to show students and communities that science was feasible and doable. He also highlighted that they want to cultivate the interest of students at higher levels of learning to venture into science and technology.

Addressing the sub council, Dr Ditshego explained that technology, especially the Internet, propels economies forward hence it should be taken into consideration.

He said the Internet was another factor which people could use to develop, enrich and broaden their businesses to create employment. He elaborated on the importance and use of the Internet to the councillors so that the could encourage people to start using it frequently.

He said the buying and selling of goods in the broadband Internet was cheaper and the way to the future.  

Furthermore, the BIUST Science Circus Show team was on tour to teach and demonstrate the simplicity of science knowledge to communities. They used different experiments for different platforms, and they visited schools in Ghanzi District and community gathering places.

“This is driven by the fact that we want to increase the number of students doing science and technology courses at the university level. As a team, we experienced that teachers want expensive equipment to reach out to students while they can use simple materials to demonstrate science,” Dr Ditshego noted.

The Science Circus Shows are measures that engage the community in activities that in the near future could benefit the economy. The BIUST staff said they also want to reduce the dangers people encounter in their everyday lives by showing them experiments that are hazardous. ENDS