24 Feb 2019

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has called on institutions of higher learning to  move away from domesticating knowledge to globalising it in order to increase graduates’ competitiveness.

“We expect our graduates to provide solutions to national problems. In this era of high unemployment rate, we also expect them to be able to work in the global market. I therefore, challenge the Class of 2018 to imagine a world free of hunger, diseases, unemployment and other deprivations by providing solutions to these challenges. These graduates have a lot to do and as difficult as these challenges may seem, they are better positioned to research deeper to find long lasting solutions,” he said.

He said this during Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) graduation ceremony in Palapye on February 23.

Four of the 257 students were awarded PhDs, 28 master degrees and 225 received their first degrees. 

The President urged the graduates to be confident, proud of their qualifications and seek to compete with the best around the world. 

“Make no mistake Class of 2018, you too can come up with innovations that will change this world forever,” Dr Masisi said.

He indicated that some of the graduates would join the workforce, some pursue further studies while others would go into business.

All these, he said, were choices each one would make after the graduation ceremony.

“I have no doubt that you are better placed to represent BIUST as its brand ambassadors and play a role in diversifying Botswana’s economy from resource based economy to a knowledge based economy,” he said.

Dr Masisi urged institutions of higher learning to work hard towards helping the country realise the dream of transofrming the economy.

“I am pleased to inform you that in line with Vision 2036, government is committed to educate all Batswana in various universities in Botswana including BIUST and outside the country. To this end, government spends around P2 billion per annum on students’ tuition fees and allowances,” he said.

He said government had taken steps to ensure that the transformation of education and training through the Human Resource Development Strategy of 2009, received necessary support in order for the education system to meet industry needs.

In order to commodify knowledge, he said institutions of higher learning should offer industry relevant programmes. ends