20 Feb 2017

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) witnessed its first batch of graduates over the weekend.

A total of 58 students graduated with Masters and Bachelor’s degrees in various disciplines.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Palapye, BIUST Chancellor Dr Festus Mogae said the aspirations of government had always been that the graduates should increasingly be in the fields of science, engineering and technology and that they be better skilled to meet the demands of knowledge based global economy.

He said it was always the conviction of the government and other stakeholders that the future of the country should be anchored on the ability to produce a varied and multifaceted core of graduates.

“We as the nation are most delighted that the conception and eventual existence of BIUST was a high point in the development trajectory of our country and institution building,” he said.

Dr Mogae further said a milestone that was being marked by the inaugural graduation ceremony could not have been possible without the commitment to duty of the members of the BIUST council under the leadership of Mr Bernard Bolele as chairperson.

He commended the university staff, academic and auxiliary as well as the student community for making BIUST an aspiring place of academic distinction.

“You deserve to feel tremendously proud of your achievement and your families, loved ones, communities and our nation join you in recognising this singular accomplishment,” he said.

For his part the vice chancellor Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo said the graduation represented a significant milestone for the university, the graduates as well as for lower level students who will be enthused to work harder and focus on their studies so as to excel.

When the first cohorts of students joined the university in 2012 at Oodi campus, he said they entered into a pact to be transformed into tomorrow’s leaders in industry and society.

He said the university’s responsibility was to offer and deliver relevant, innovative, quality, research intensive education of an international standard while students were to embrace the learning opportunities that the university provided.

He said the graduates have also displayed acceptable conduct and were therefore licensed to carry the insignia of BIUST wherever they go.

He said BIUST was committed to driving change, adding “our university must become the leader of change and the home for leaders and leadership development.”

“Your future success beyond the borders of this campus will ensure that BIUST is at the forefront of leading national scientific and technological change. You are the future leaders in your respective professions as well as leaders in your community, the country and the world.”

However he said the university passed through a crucible of fire in its formative years which included among others lack of adequate teaching facilities, inadequate research facilities, difficulties in attracting and retaining high calibre staff and graduate students.

He said in order to succeed teaching and research required excellent facilities comparable to those of international and reputable institutions.

Nonetheless he said the university made some achievements which include among others a two-radio-telescope interferometer and computer laboratory which were secured and installed through Square Kilometre Array project of South Africa.

These national facilities are housed at BIUST and will be used to develop capacity to operate and maintain a 25m antenna to be commissioned around 2020 as well as installation and commissioning of an outdoor automatic weather station on a 10 meter tower. BOPA