17 Aug 2022

The Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr Joan Matji says Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) was the key to a better tomorrow.

Speaking at a Botswana University of Science and Natural Resources (BUAN) satellite Science week on Tuesday, Dr Matji said STEM was vital to Botswana, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the next generations’ future. She said STEM was important, not only because it pervaded every aspect of our lives,  it also played a role  in the achievement  of   Sustainable Development Goals.

She said even children experienced STEM in their daily lives, citing the use of smartphones, healthcare, agriculture and cleaning supplies, among others.

Dr Matji said STEM was important in supporting the achievement of sustainable and inclusive development, including smart agriculture.

She said as part of smart agriculture, there was need to consider a broad array of new and emerging technologies that could help achieve food security and improve nutrition.

She cited synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics and 3D printing as examples that could improve agriculture.

“If we work together, we can create a green future and build food systems that better address the needs of food producers and workers,” she said. Dr Matji called for a rebalancing of the relationship between food systems and the natural environment by transforming them to work better with nature and for the climate.

For his part, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Professor Samodimo Ngwako said the month of science emanated from an agreement by SADC in 2015 that August be the month for the annual commemoration of science. Professor Ngwako said the event was meant to share experiences in the field of science and to celebrate achievements that had been made in the science, research, technology and innovation landscape.

“It consists of a countywide celebration of science, connecting various stakeholders and role players who are conducting science based activities,” he said.

Prof. Ngwako also said one of the objectives of celebrating the month was to actuate activities or platforms to increase the representation of youth in STEM. ends