09 Nov 2017

Investment in research, science, technology and innovation will be a key factor in government’s transformation into a knowledge based economy, President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, has said.

Delivering his 2017 State of the Nation Address on November 6, President Khama said this was in line with Vision 2036.

“Government’s ongoing support for research and innovation has included the establishment of the Innovation Fund, capacity building for tertiary education institutions through the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) Research Grants,” he said.

Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), President Khama said had also developed and adapted technology solutions, since its establishment in 2012.

“An example is Kgalagadi Sand Building Block that enables the construction of buildings without the use of river sand,” he added.

With the intention of rolling-out the technology to other locations, he said so far five building block depots had been established.

Further, President Khama said BITRI had also developed Seding solar lights, which provided street lighting to remote villages and opened a Centre for Material Sciences, which utilised nano-science technologies.

“The Centre will serve the region by providing testing services to the industry, while serving as a home for cutting edge research,” he said.

Through participation in the Square Kilometre Array project, he said “we have also ventured into advanced technologies, such as radio–astronomy which aims to develop the world’s largest radio telescope by 2024.”

As part of this project, he said high powered laboratory equipment had been installed at BIUST, which would develop local capacity through training of post graduate students and staff. ENDS