01 Aug 2022

Batswana have been called upon to succeed in the research and innovation space to bridge the gap in technology.

“It is now time for outputs of research and development together with products, services from innovation to serve as opportunities for employment creation and revenue earning,” says Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology Mr Thulagano Segokgo.

He was speaking at the launch of the month of science in Gaborone yesterday. 

Mr Segokgo said through the month, the ministry sought to raise awareness of both Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI) as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 

He encouraged communities to embrace RSTI as espoused in the RSTI Policy Implementation Plan of 2012. 

Mr Segokgo said the policy emphasised the need to popularise STEM and innovation by coming up with initiatives to demystify science so as to build public confidence and encourage participation. 

He revealed that  establishment of a national research fund was at an advanced stage. 

The fund would provide a solid platform to support research activities and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving the national RSTI landscape, he said. 

Mr Segokgo said to demonstrate its resolve and unwavering commitment to technological development, the ministry, with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development support, was currently reviewing the National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. 

The review was prompted by the urgent need to align the policy with regional and international protocols in support of sustainable development, he said.

Mr Segokgo said it was hoped that the review would culminate in the development of a robust national research agenda with clear  priorities. 

He said his ministry continued to provide leadership in raising awareness on STEM and innovation as it was clear that most jobs of the future would require basic understanding of the subjects.

Mr Segokgo pointed out that STEM not only played a pivotal role in sustained growth and stability in the world but also encompassed every part of life. 

On the month’s theme of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Advancing Life for Sustainable Development, Mr Segokgo said it resonated well with government’s aspirations as espoused in Vision 2036.

He emphasised implementation of Smart Botswana Strategy and National Transformation Agenda initiatives seeking to transform Botswana into a knowledge economy. 

Batswana should therefore identify opportunities for contributing to the envisaged knowledge-based economy, he said. 

The minister said if Botswana embraced the use of technology, the country would succeed like developed and advanced economies which had leveraged technology and innovation systems to usher in economic transformation. 

He called for exploration of the world big data, ‘be it is astronomy or satellite space, to create opportunities and applications that have local relevance and global impact’.

In his welcome remarks, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Professor Nelson Torto said Botswana designated August as the month of Science, Technology and Innovation in 2015 following the 2008 decision by SADC ministers responsible for science and technology.

The idea was to encourage member states to have an  annual commemoration of science and technology as it had been observed that awareness of the fields was very low regionally, he explained. A number of activities are planned across the country with the intention of bringing together all stakeholders to share experiences and lessons on research, development and innovation in Botswana. 

Activities are planned for Gaborone, Molepolole, Kanye and Palapye while the National Science Week will be commemorated in Masunga August 22-26.ENDS