12 Feb 2019

Parliament has learnt that Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) terms and conditions of Employment Section 2.13 guides the process of promotion at the institution. Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Fidelis Molao said four people were promoted at BITRI between 2014 and 2018 to the post of director - human capital, director - finance and operations, administration officer - research and partnerships and lead researcher in electronics and communications. Mr Molao stated that there were eight female officers at management level and only one expatriate in senior management serving as an executive director, Natural Resources and Materials. He explained the officer’s contribution to the success of the organisation as being in the development of the filter materials that could be used for production of physical and protective equipment (filters, protective clothing, chemical, viral and bacterial protection).Further work under development, he said, included body sensors based on polymers and many more carried out by researchers under his leadership. He was answering a question from Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy, who had asked the minister how the promotion process was carried out at BITRI and also wanted him to state the number of people promoted between 2014 and 2018 and their positions. MP Billy also enquired on the number of females in management positions and that of expatriates in senior management and their contribution to the organisation’s success. ENDS