31 Mar 2022

Brainstream education is a vehicle through which Botswana’s transition to a knowledge-based economy can be realised. 

 This was said by Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe at the launch of brainSTREAM Botswana Innovation Centre in Gaborone yesterday.

  Explaining that brainSTREAM Botswana’s vision was to be a leading innovative educational institution in Botswana, Dr Letsholathebe noted that ‘it is the first educational facility of its kind in the country’. 

 Stating that human capital was a key stimulus and catalyst of economic diversification, he also noted that the centre offered courses in Information and Communications Technology including coding, robotics, 3D printing, drone technology, artificial intelligence and Internet. 

  With technology forever moving at an increasing pace, brainSTREAM Botswana had identified that creativity and innovation were a priority in the education space, he said. 

Dr Letsholathebe pointed out that globally, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education had taken centre stage. 

He said STEM education led to more innovation and as such children who had been exposed to it early excelled at tertiary level. 

Dr Letsholathebe therefore congratulated brainSTREAM for taking the lead in areas of science, technology and research.  

He said with the high number of information technology graduates in Botswana being the youth, STEM education provided an opportunity to combat the high youth unemployment rate.

The minister said that would be achieved through retooling and advanced training in coding, robotics, 3D printing, drone technology, artificial intelligence and Internet.  

brainSTREAM managing director, Mr Sameer Pelwan said the institution’s vision was to be the leading innovative education centre in the country.

It also aimed to enrich the education sector by imparting STEM skills to local learners and educators to enable them to become problem solvers and future thinkers, he said. 

Mr Pelwan said robotics, coding and STEM education were the country’s future.

“We are here to introduce and teach brainstream education. We believe that by partnering with schools and educators we are bound to develop innovative education and become the standard sectors in the country. We aim to be the transition vehicle in transforming the economy to be driven by a knowledge based society,” said Mr Pelwan.

Started about five weeks ago, Mr Pelwan said the centre had to date enrolled 70 students including  young and the elderly. 

He said it also offered bursaries to the elderly and out of school learners to attend focused classes in coding and use of drones among others.

The primary focus was on creating an innovative society, he said. 

“Our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative is to work with the regional education offices to identify learners with special educational needs as STEM education is beneficial to students with learning disorders,” said Mr Pelwan. 

Meanwhile brainSTREAM patron, Dr Joseph Tsonope said it was unfortunate that the education curriculum only introduced technology related courses at an upper level. 

The use of technology, he said,  enabled fixing of current problems for future prosperity. 

Dr Tsonope said STEM education would not only improve the level of education in Botswana but would also help in diversifying the export base.  

In addition, he said one of the core essential features for the country’s future was coding techniques. Ends