01 May 2017

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Alfred Madigele says New Era College has prepared young men and women to fit in the local economy and beyond.

Speaking at New Era College graduation ceremony for class 2015-2016 held at the GICC, Dr Madigele told graduates that  they are the only ones who could educate themselves and this should be their first lesson, as they take off to a new starting point.

The graduation was held under the theme “Instilling a Spirit of Self Reliance in Our Graduates”  and Dr  Madigele said it was more appropriate for the 21st century graduates.

“From this, we can tell that the envisaged end is ‘self-reliance’. Self-reliance means relying on one’s self, power, or resources enough to establish one as being independent,” he said.

Dr Madigele advised graduates to take note of the theme as it has relevance to them as individuals as well as for Botswana as a country.

“In the same way that you must rely on yourselves, the country needs to rely on itself for matters such as food security, shelter, communication systems, health, education, the labour force and national security,” he said.

He said there were many industries that rely on imported labour because the supply of skilled labour cannot satisfy the demand in the labour market.  

Dr Madigele further said there were still many areas in ‘our’ industries that rely on imported labour because supply of skilled labour could not satisfy the demand in the labour market.

“You have received an education and this makes you some of the few who have reached the starting point, not the finish line.You are responsible for finding your personal finish line. Although you are all starting here together today, not two of you will have the same finish line. Many have not been able to arrive here and some of those who arrive here never take off successfully,” he said.

He further pointed out that  government and parents had done their part to sponsor graduates adding that it was now upon them to meaningfully participate in the economy of the country.

“Government had played her part and it was for graduates to plough back to the nation so that generations coming after could also find the same or better support,” he said.

He said he was pleased that most of the graduates were from Engineering programs because ‘they are currently still considered scare skill areas although this may already be changing.’

“Construction must make us proud. We want to see landmarks of buildings designed and built by you,” he said.  

For his part, the New Era College’s president, Mr Esgphandi Ghodrati said graduation was the key to success.

He advised graduates to have faith in themselves, adding that with determination they would be able to succeed in life. ENDS