07 Sep 2018

Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana (UB)  Professor Davis Norris has called for an increased investment in research as well as the strengthening of research capacity.

Speaking at the 4th International Research Conference for Institute of Health Sciences and Mission Institutions, Prof Norris said it was inconceivable that reasonable health services could be delivered without attention to research.

“In Botswana, policy makers are beginning to appreciate and support research endeavours. There is clear evidence that research can potentially be an engine for health promotion and economic growth and importantly, research is needed because empirical decisions are based on evidence,” he said.

He urged forging of mutual relationships with the international research community, citing that the UB had forged relationships with Harvard University, Pennsylvania and other universities as they were leading institutions in health research.

“We should strive to conduct research whose results are likely to be of use to the study populations,” he said, adding that the research conducted should not be for the purpose of getting professorial promotions and other accolades.

He said the research should be informed by the challenges that the society faced while the findings must have an impact on the livelihoods or welfare of the people.

Professor Norris noted that the purpose of the conference was to promote high quality innovative practices in the healthcare system and health training practices by sharing the latest research findings.

He said the theme of the conference: Research and Innovative in Education: Key to Sustainable Quality Healthcare, could not have come at a better time as the country had commenced the implementation of Vision 2036 and the country’s National Development Plan 11, which were formulated when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were finalised.

He said Vision 2036 was based on sustainable economic development, which emphasised that Botswana should have a knowledge-based economy that is hinged on research and innovation as well as on graduate studies.

“As such, the country has to grow its universities from being primarily undergraduate teaching to graduate universities as by so doing, they can be able to conduct some researches,” he said.

Prof. Norris said research in every society was critical as a sick society could never be productive.

He said the need for research and innovation had become critical to enhancing quality healthcare by controlling healthcare costs, decreasing personnel shortage and meeting the expectations of the sophisticated and demanding client base.

Welcoming the gathering, Mayor of Gaborone, Mr Kagiso Thutlwe said this was another milestone to be achieved by the Institute of Health Sciences and Mission Institutions.

He said the institutions made a significant contribution to the development of the country and they continuously strived to inform day to day operations through research.

Mayor Thutlwe said a healthy nation was a most critical driving pillar for sustainable development. ENDS