18 May 2022

Support from members of the architectural profession, government, and other stakeholders are key to the full realization of the human resources development agenda.

Institutes such as the Architects’ Association of Botswana (AAB), Botswana Institute of Architectural and Construction Technologist (BIACT) forms part of the profession.

The candidate mentorship programme has been developed by the council to accelerate the structured professional and personal development of graduates and facilitate professional skills and knowledge acquisition by seasoned professionals.

In an interview on Tuesday, Board Chairman of the Architects Registration Council of Botswana, Mr Ishmael Mosinyi said the council would conduct a series of workshops with its key stakeholders to present and seek their input, discuss, and conclude the program before it is implemented.

Mr Mosinyi said due to no funding and inadequate human resources to implement the programme, the implementation process would require support from key stakeholders.

He said the proposal was part of their desire to break new grounds and attain enviable heights for architecture locally and beyond, citing that already the review process of the Architects’ Registration Act (AR Act), Cap.61:08 had commenced in March 2021.

The Board chairperson said the review would certainly ensure profound developments in architects’ welfare, education, practice, licensure, infrastructure, and in expanding the fold of architecture in Botswana.

Mr Mosinyi said that with AR Act the council was obliged to consider all matters regarding registration requirements, and this included consideration of recognition of prior learning (RPL) which was not a requirement in the previous legislation.

“We highly appreciate the contributions to the development, growth, and promotion of the profession by all individuals including those persons with non-formal and informal education before the commencement of regulating the profession and its activities,” Mr Mosinyi stated.

He said the council was considering a framework that would facilitate the recognition and assessment of the acquired competencies, practical knowledge, and skills of persons without formal academic qualifications, with consideration to include such individuals under the regulation, he said.

In addition, and as the backdrop of the current concerns regarding some qualifications failing to meet the minimum registration requirements of the Council, he said a task force had been constituted to consider matters of qualifications and learning programs offered by local Education and Training Providers (ETPs).

He said that the task force which commenced its duty in February 2022 included members of the council, and representatives from the ETPs among other stakeholders, and was hopeful that the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) will be part of the team in due course.

Mr Mosinyi further said the framework for the delivery of architectural services has been in use since 2018 and was yet to be reviewed to address recurring concerns or gaps noted by stakeholders.

Furthermore, he said with the review of the AR Act, the framework be concurrently reviewed too to address the deficiencies, and align it to the reviewed legislation, mentioning that they were enlisting the input and support of the AAB among other stakeholders, to be part of the key undertaking.

Also, Mr Mosinyi said with the design competition guidelines, the council intended to encourage clients and interested stakeholders to consider design competition as an activity with the potential to drive up quality, and stimulate creativity and innovation.

“The design competition guidelines have been developed to encourage clients or procuring entities to consider design competition model as an alternative procurement system which got potential to promote quality and sustainability of all the design works and services provided by architectural professionals,” he said.

He mentioned that stakeholders would be enlisted and brought to light on the key endeavor before its implementation.

About the finalisation and implementation of the architectural services agreement,      Mr Mosinyi concluded that the agreement was developed by the council and shared with stakeholders for input or comments revealing it was at a stage where the council will workshop the stakeholders on it before implementation. ENDS