06 Oct 2020

Use of science and technology is said to be pivotal to economic transformation.

Chief research science and technology officer, Mr Abraham Mathodi, said this during a media update on Sunday.

Mr Mathodi said to promote the spirit of creativity, the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology would embark on a week-long campaign starting yesterday.

He said the campaign would create awareness on the role that science and technology could play in transforming Botswana from a resource based to a  technologically driven economy.

He said the science week would also help promote public awareness and appreciation of science, technology and innovation as well as stimulate pupils’ interest in science and technology, particularly at primary and secondary school levels.

The science week, Mr Mathodi said, would further create a platform for young innovators to showcase their skills.

He highlighted that the drive to create awareness on usage of science and technology resumed in 2015 by designating the entire month of August to effective and productive use of technology, adding that the commemorations were however later dated this year, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

He said the ministry acknowledged all efforts geared towards technological innovations, hence it was imperative to support and further motivate local innovators to take their innovations to another level and create products that would be competitive in the global market.

“It is worrisome that most of the technology consumed in the country is imported, hence it is important to invest in local innovations of high quality that will not only be relevant to the market, but will also reduce the country’s import bill,” he said.

Mr Mathodi noted that Botswana had, over the years, achieved a lot in creating legislations and policies to promote innovation, adding that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the country had experienced incredible innovations that need to be nurtured even post the pandemic. ENDS