02 Dec 2019

 Some 390 Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) graduands  were awarded degrees  from different academic disciplines this weekend.

  In his welcome statement at the institution’s 2019 graduation ceremony, BIUST vice chancellor Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said the university was forging ahead in producing scholars that would play a role in changing Batswana’s lives and transforming communities.

BIUST, he said,  was proud to not only play a part in equipping students with knowledge and skills but also instilling in them the expertise required to be more proactive in the transformation of Botswana’s economy from  resource-based to knowledge-based.He said BIUST students continued to raise the country’s flag high and always topped in national and international competitions.

Dr Totolo noted that recently a team of five engineering and technology students participated in makeathon competitions spearheaded by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association to develop a solar powered electric car prototype.

He said BIUST had partnered with other tertiary institutions in the design and delivery of the electric car.

“This is a demonstration that we have the right technical skills and know-how to open investment avenues in Botswana and construct a solar powered electric car prototype, “he said.

He said the prototype spoke volumes and had amplified the nation’s vision of being a global player in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Boitekanelo College founder and guest speaker at the occasion  Dr Tiroyaone Mampane implored graduates and students not to box themselves in the disciplines they were pursuing but to be open minded, creative and innovative. 

He advised them to utilize the skills and knowledge they had acquired to develop themselves and the community. 

Dr Mampane encouraged them to  venture into entrepreneurship.

Citing his own experience, Dr Mampane said upon graduating as a medical doctor, he joined Princess Marina Hospital and after realising there was a challenge of shortage of health institutions and health practitioners, he saw an opportunity and started the college.

Recipient of the chancellor’s award, Mr Emmanuel Makhura and also the best overall student, best student in Department of Chemical, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering and best student in Faculty of Engineering and Technology advised other students to take their studies seriously. 

Held under the theme, Harnessing Innovative Technologies, Entrepreneurship in Pursuit of a Knowledge Based Economy, the ceremony was graced by Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe and hi assistant Mr Machana Shamukuni. Ends