07 Aug 2022

Ninety students recently graduated with certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and Business Studies, short courses in from the Centre for Business and Secretarial Training (CBST) in Mogoditshane.

The 90 were offered free scholarships by the institution as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, MP for Mogoditshane, Mr Tumiso Rakgare applauded the school for the initiative, saying it would empower the youths in the area.

He said such a gesture was highly welcome, especially in an era when the country was faced with high levels of unemployment.

The MP, who is also the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, said the skills the graduates acquired would enable them to start their own businesses and create jobs for their peers.

Mr Rakgare said the graduates now had keys to unlock unlimited opportunities as the country moves towards a knowledge-based economy, imploring them to continue expanding their knowledge and get higher qualifications in order to broaden their scope.

CBST started its operations in Francistown, but moved to Mogoditshane following its quest to operate as a university and offer courses up to Masters’ Degree. Mr Rakgare thanked the institution management for choosing his area as a base and said this was testament that Mogoditshane, with its huge population, was an ideal place for investments.

Preliminary reports from the last census showed that the population of the area has reached 88 000.

The MP said they had established a development trust which will help in identifying income generating opportunities.

For his part, the CBST Board Chairman, Dr Mothibi Rakanye said they were Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) certified and they were awaiting further certification for their degree programmes.

He said they were now working towards establishing a university, in collaboration with a Malaysian university, hence they moved their campus from Francistown to Mogoditshane.

Dr Rakanye said through the Business Skills course, students were empowered with entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to venture into their own businesses.

He said those that trained in Occupational Health and Safety now understood the hazards inherent in any job and also know how to uphold safety standards.

Dr Rakanye said the institution had trained 5000 students since it opened its doors in 2007.

He further said they provided skills needed by the economy being guided by their own research and that conducted by the Human Resources Council (HRC).ENDS