31 Aug 2017

Air Arm Technical Training School graduuates have been urged to ensure they further their studies to keep up with new trends in the ever changing aviation industry.

Giving a keynote address at the graduation ceremony of students of Mechanics Course at Thebephatshwa Airbase on August 30, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) vice chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo advised graduates that the aviation industry and its technologies were always evolving with the times, hence vital to be always up to date with latest developments.

“This will ensure that you are continuously ahead of the curve and can anticipate, perhaps even participate in the relentless pursuit of new aviation technologies together with others like yourselves,” he said.

Prof. Totolo also gave a special mention of the first female graduates of the school, saying it came at a good time when the science, engineering and technology disciplines had for a long time been dominated by men.

He said this would now contribute towards enabling women officers to stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in the field of aircraft mechanics.

Prof. Totolo also hailed the participation of graduates from Lesotho Defence Force, saying this reflected the close bilateral relations between the two nations and their commitment to a peaceful region.

He also appreciated the participation of the Botswana Police Service, saying the fact that they shared ‘the limited resources’ with the Botswana Defence Force would save government a lot of funds by avoiding duplication by constructing similar colleges that offered same courses.

For his part, training officer, Major Bushi Ndebele indicated that the 18 months course primarily enrolled BDF members who had just completed their basic military training, and that this year they had a total of 54 students with four from the Botswana Police Service while two were from the Lesotho Defence Force.

He also indicated that the school was graduating female students for the first time since its inception, who totalled 19.

He said the training was not without challenges as the college was short of instructors as they depended on those working part-time.

He said this gave the instructors little time to prepare for lessons as they were most of the time busy at their core sections, and he therefore suggested that retired BDF engineers and technicians be invited back to come at teach at the school.

Major Ndebele said that the Mechanics Course was meant to impart knowledge and develop skills and ability of students so as to prepare them to work on maintenance of aircrafts and associated equipment.

He also said the training aimed at providing the foundation for further studies for those who wanted to attain higher qualifications in aviation engineering related fields.

In his welcome remarks, the college Commandant, Col Job Sejoe said that as a training college, they were mindful of the fact that the quality of their graduates had a direct impact on the aviation safety and maintenance standards. ENDS