10 Mar 2020

Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) chief executive officer, Dr Raphael Dingalo, says as countries shift towards knowledge-based economies, tertiary education institutes (TEIs) will play a central role in economic growth, wealth creation, and competitiveness.

Speaking at the technology transfer capacity development seminar in Gaborone on Monday, Dr Dingalo said there was a changing demand on academia to contribute towards tangible economic development, which called for research initiatives beyond basic research.

The academia, he said, should provide sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by societies.

He said the greatness of a university was judged on how it impacted on the society and the world at large., noting that Botswana recognised the need for a robust education system to achieve economic transformation. 

Therefore, he explained that it was imperative to strengthen the capacity for researchers through training, knowledge and skills transfer as well as stimulate the innovation ecosystem.

“It is about time we stepped up research to give way to innovative ideas and translate the acquired knowledge that is gathering dust on our book shelves and libraries to tangible economic and social gains,” Dr Dingalo said.

He highlighted that the industry yearned for continuous and transfer of latest technologies and production processes that would enhance productivity and competitiveness.

“At the end of this training, you will have embraced the significance of promoting technology transfer and commercialization activities at your respective institutions. And most importantly; equipped to nurture and manage networks between yourselves as education providers and the industry; create platforms for dialogue as well as to lobby the private sector to co-support scientific research,” he said.

Dr Dingalo said there was need to be swift and move technological innovations from research and development (R&D) departments and laboratories to industry. 

He said a technological innovation was fully transferred when it was commercialized into a product and sold in the marketplace.

Delivering on the objectives of the seminar, director of statistics, research development and innovation at HRDC, Dr Tlamelo Sekambo, said they were aiming at increasing the participants’ awareness and knowledge of intellectual property (IP) management and technology transfer (TT).

“We are working on equipping the participants with the know-how to establish TT function at institutions through sharing of knowledge, experience and learning from South Africa,” she said.

Dr Sekambo said HRDC and Southern Africa Research Innovation Management Association (SAMIRA) were looking forward to providing direct support and assistance to organisations with the establishment and enhancement of their TT functions, applying international best practices.

SAMIRA acting vice president- Africa Engagement, Dr Doug Sanyahumbi, said innovation was basically a process of taking new ideas through to customers and the convention of new knowledge.

He said universities ventured on innovation through development and taking of new ideas or practices into the market place in the form of a product, service or process.

“Innovation as broad as it may be, has a lot of challenges not only limited to inadequate networking, negative industry perception, poor culture of entrepreneurship and innovation and small talent pool,” he said.

Dr Sanyahumbi said the environment had to be in a certain way for innovation to be successful, mentioning the financial, human, physical, knowledge, market and social factors all necessary for successful innovation. He said funding of research and universities today was an investment taxpayers make.

The seminar which is conducted by HRDC, in partnership with SAMIRA for tertiary education institutions ends on March 13. Ends