17 Mar 2016

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) management has met the Palapye community to inform them about progress and developments at the university.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Palapye on Monday, the director of pre-university and academic programme, Dr Haniso Motlhabane requested the community to work closely with BIUST, adding that the university was built to benefit the community.

He urged parents to encourage their children to love science and mathematics as they were subjects that could change the economic perspective of the country.

He noted that agriculture used to be the main contributor to the economy, but that minerals, particularly diamonds, took over.

He said the mineral sector was not doing well like before as diamond revenues have declined as a result of the global economic recession.

He said the adaptation of science and technology could bring changes, adding that the country could make a difference through the use of science and technology to attract people from different countries. 

Dr Motlhabane said BIUST exists to help the country diversify its economy through science and engineering, adding that the university could achieve the objective through the support of the community

A representative from the department of student affairs and campus life, Mr Wilson Mankanku appealed to the community to help provide accommodation to BIUST students as the university does not have enough accommodation to cater for all students.

Mr Mankanku said the university has enrolled about 2 000 students comprising international students from Liberia, Zambia, Swaziland, Kenya and Zimbabwe and that the school has managed to accommodate only 1 156 students.  

He said some students have been accommodated at the old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital staff houses, but said the university still has a serious need for accommodation.

He said if parents could offer accommodation to BIUST students, it would help them economically as the students would be paying rent. He said public transport operators were also benefiting as they transport students from the village to the campus and back every day.  He encouraged parents to use the opportunity to improve their lives through BIUST.  

Mr Mankanku also informed the community about some developments at the school. He said the university now has a clinic to attend to the medical needs of students.  

One resident, Ms Tshepiso Britz said she applied for a masters degree in Business Management, but was informed that BIUST does not have a college of business, wondering why it was advertised.

Another resident, Mr Pelotlhomogi Ntebatsang said the community was willing to help students with accommodation, but they have a challenge of developing their plots since they do not have money.

He proposed that BIUST should build facilities on their plots and accommodate students for a certain period.

Mr Obositse Goepamang requested the university to offer part-time courses so that people who were interested in learning could easily attend such courses.

In response to the questions and requests, Mr Mankanku promised to take the proposal to the relevant authorities.

Dr Motlhabane said the university offers many courses for masters programmes, but that after the university went through some financial challenges they were forced to narrow the courses into science and technology.

He said they gave up some courses because the University of Botswana was offering them. Ends