11 Sep 2017

The world is continuously changing and everyone needs good education, knowledge and professionalism.

Speaking during farewell for Russian- bound students, the Ambassador of Russia to Botswana, Mr Victor Sibilev said it was important to send young people from Botswana to study in Russia so that they could transform the country as the world was continuously changing and they had to embrace the changes as science and technology was also changing.

For his part, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Matlhogonolo Mokakapadi said Russia continued to be an attractive destination for African students due to the high quality and relative affordability of training.

He further said this year 55 students including both on state scholarship and self sponsorship will be sent to study in different Russian universities.

Mr Mokakapadi noted that more than 300 Botswana students had studied in Russia among them the late legialtor Dr Kenneth koma and politicians Dr John Seakgosing and Ms Botlogile Tshireletso.

He noted that one of the responsibilities of his ministry was to transform Botswana from a resource- based economy to a knowledge- based economy and graduates had to participate in the growth of the economy of the country.

“We are looking forward towards young people to lead us with 21st century skills,” he said.

Mr Mokakapadi said education was critical for the growth of every country and the economy of this country could be transformed by graduates when they came back from where they studied to serve the country.ENDS