19 Apr 2018

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Otlogetswe Totolo challenged lecturers to go beyond publishing research papers by coming up with products and services that could change the lives of Batswana and the economy of this country.

Speaking during the ongoing third annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) festival held at BIUST campus on Tuesday, Prof. Totolo said lecturers usually stopped after publishing their research papers.

He said gone are those days when lecturers showed their knowledge through publication of many journals that add no value to the economy of the country, adding that lecturers should be seen to be playing a role in the economy of this country, not only through student training, but through researches that address community problems, especially the rural community.

Prof. Totolo further informed BIUST community that government had high expectations on BIUST to transform the economy from a natural resource to a knowledge-based economy.

He said government established BIUST as a catalyst to speed up the rate of reaction with focus on Science, Engineering and Technology, adding that the disciplines of STEM were the building blocks and essential components of a knowledge -based economy.

Developed nations such as the UK have no mineral resources, yet they are stable and more diversified because of investment in STEM, he said.

He said STEM-driven economies transformed their researches into profitable products and services.

Prof. Totolo added that BIUST came up with STEM festivals to provide a platform and forum where innovators and investors, researchers and academics from all walks of life could come together to showcase their inventions, concepts, blueprints and final products.

For his part, director of Pre-University and Academic Programmes, Dr Haniso Motlhabane said BIUST came up with programmes to attract young people to develop interest in STEM through initiatives such as Science circuses and enquiry -based learning.

Under enquiry-based learning, BIUST is working with two primary schools namely Manaledi and Serorome.

The programme allows students to understand science better by encouraging them to play with things readily found around them such as soil, leaves and many others.

Through enquiry-based learning, Manaledi primary managed to improve their academic results, particularly in Science and Mathematics.

For his part, Botswana Power Corporation chief executive officer, Dr Stefan Schwarzfischer said students should not just acquire knowledge and look for employment.

He said today’s engineer should not be an ordinary graduate, but should be more solution-driven so that they add value to the company that would offer employment.

He said an engineer should be able to go to the field, talk to the people on the ground and gain some experience from them.

He also emphasised on discipline, hence engineers should also be trained on procedure, adding that discipline was crucial in the private sector.

The festival is held under the theme; STEM Driven Economy: Transforming Research into Profitable Products and Services. ENDS