07 Mar 2016

UNESCO has donated Information Technology (IT) equipment to Maun Technical College.

The equipment, which comprises of 21 computers, three touch screen desktop computers, a printer and a projector are expected to be used by tourism and management students.

Speaking during the handing ceremony, Maun East MP, Mr Konstantinus Markus applauded UNESCO for equipping the college laboratory, adding that the gesture shows their commitment to the development of education in Botswana. 

He said a computer was a formidable tool as it opens doors to communication, research and opportunities. 

“This donated technology will help students to receive exposure to skills needed in today’s fast- growing technological environment,” he added.  

Mr Markus further said the technology from UNESCO to the  college was possible due to the philanthropy of the leadership of the government and support provided by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development through the Better Education for Africa Rise (BEAR) Project. 

The BEAR project aims at creating new curricular for technical and vocational education that is dictated by the industry and is responsive to the country’s needs.

The MP observed that the donation came at an opportune time, as the college was beginning to see changes that the community has longed to see.

He appealed to UNESCO to consider installing video conferencing facilities in the same resources centre so as to expose students to the global technology. Mr Markus urged the college management to ensure prudent use of the donated items. 

“These donated items shall be taken good care of and most importantly it shall be used to benefit the students and trainers of this college” he added.

Giving an overview of the BEAR project, Ms Jeannete Motsu said the project started in 2012 and that it was a five-year tripartite agreement between Botswana and South Korea. 

She said the objective was to ensure that technical vocational education and training programmes were relevant to the skills and businesses and individuals. 

Ms Motsu further said the mandate of the college was to produce graduates with technical vocational skills required by the industry, and that she believed that the donated equipment would assist staff to train and nurture students who would eventually had the needed skills.

Furthermore, she noted that the equipment would contribute to the efficient delivery of BEAR curriculums and ultimately play a role in producing employable graduates by the industry. Ends