03 Jul 2019

Principal of the Institute of Health Sciences - Serowe (IHSS), Ms Tebogo Gwaila-Morolong has a truckload of praises to crown the Institute of Development Management (IDM) country director, Dr Onalenna Seitio-Kgokgwe’s ‘push’ in ensuring that the partnership between their institutions comes to fruition.

Chronicling the genesis of the partnership, the IHSS principal lauded the IDM country director and extended a congratulatory gesture for the success of the project.

At the official launch of the partnership of the two tertiary institutions at IHSS under the theme: Partnership and networks- a key to socio-economic development, Ms Gwaila-Morolong lauded her counterpart for ensuring the success of the partnership by constantly nudging her into action.

A move that was influenced by questions and comments by Central District Council (CDC) councillors who unanimously wondered how a critical government training institution such as IDM could only be accessed in two cities, excluding a big constituency such as the Central District, resulted in the partnership between IHSS and IDM.

IDM offers an array of programmes in different areas from certificate to masters levels in some instances while IHSS (recently acquired the much coveted Botswana Qualification Authority registration and accreditation as an education training provider). It offers programmes in higher diploma in general nursing and higher diploma in health education.

In tribute to her counterpart, Ms Gwaila-Morolong compared the partnership between IHSS and IDM to a marriage between two compatible lovers who have long been searching for each other.

With an institution that boasts an infectious vision that is demonstrated to prospective candidates through career fairs, Ms Morolong posits that the institution was better placed to partner with IDM since it was driven by a vision: An institute of choice.

In addition, the IHSS principal said that through learner performance analysis every semester, IHSS was better placed to play a suitor to IDM.

Above all, the state-of-the-art institute, which boasts a sight to behold, has caught the eye and attracted the suitor in IDM, so claims Ms Gwaila-Morolong.

Ms Gwaila-Morolong observed that her “institute of choice” boasts, amongst other things, availability of resources such as teaching and learning facilities against other potential bride.

“IDM spotted us and because we have what it takes to be a good partner, we accepted the proposal which initially was through expression of interest in 2017,” said the IHSS principal.

She said the visitations and constant push by Dr Seitio-Kgokgwe resulted in the drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) that was taken to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for endorsement.

The MoU was finally signed on October 8, 2018 and paved the way to a working relationship between the two training institutes.

The IHSS principal boasted that high compatibility with IDM was conceived from the fact that they shared the same mandate of contributing to a knowledge-based economy with training, research and consultancy as major areas of collaboration.

“The partnership provides an opportunity to explore other areas of collaboration such as joint programmes, staff exchange and improvement in programme offerings,” said the IHSS principal.

Ms Gwaila-Morolong revealed that benefits of the partnership were already realised as 20 of the IHSS kitchen staff were trained on food safety and hygiene.

In addition, the IHSS principal reported the fastest Internet ever installed by IDM.

For her part, Dr Seitio-Kgokgwe prided her institute with the ability to customise products and services to ensure relevance to the needs of clients.

She said as the suitor institute her eye was caught by the strength IHSS possessed.

Many institutions were explored until the suitor settled for IHSS as the fairest of them all.

She said that the marriage to IHSS and other global institutions was a definition of what IDM was and stood for. Ends