18 Sep 2022

Botswana Accountancy College (BAC), as part of celebrating its 25th anniversary, has awarded full scholarships worth P320 000 to two recipients, Messrs Tumisang Ofentse and Mpho Mhlabano to pursue ACCA and CIMA.

Speaking at the online learning scholarship awards ceremony in Gaborone recently, deputy permanent secretary - transformation in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Dr Madisa Mine said the initiative formed part of the Botswana Accountancy College corporate social responsibility agenda to uplift the lives of the people within the community through capacity- building and training.

Dr Mine said the online scholarship intended to promote lifelong learning for the citizens from underprivileged families within communities so that they can contribute towards the attainment of knowledge-based economy.

Botswana Accountancy College online learning programmes were launched in Gaborone in 2019 and subsequently launched in eSwatini in 2020 in partnership with the eSwatini Institute of Accountants.

To date, Dr Mine said, BAC had enrolled more than 120 students in the platform, both locally and regionally, adding, ‘we look forward to growing the number of students enrolled in the various programmes from anywhere in the world.”

He also emphasised that the use of online learning platform for teaching and learning was aligned with government’s Reset Agenda, which focused on digitalisation as part of implementing the national mindset change mandate.

“It provides innovative knowledge for inclusive and sustainable development.

More people can have access to learning from wherever,” he said.

He further indicated that the two recipients, Messrs Ofentse and Mhlabano would also acquire learning tools such as laptops and data SIM cards.

“The fees will cover tuition, learning materials, examinations and membership fees for the duration of their study.

We believe that this initiative will go a long way in encouraging continuous learning and development for the attainment of professional accountancy qualifications as we look to increasing the number of local qualified and certified chartered accountants in Botswana,” he said.

He told the recipients to consider themselves lucky among 489 applicants.

“The nation also look up to you to join the economy to make impactful contributions with the skills and expertise you would have learned and attained through your qualifications,” he added.

Dr Mine further encouraged recipients’ parents and guardians to support them and continuously urge them to dedicate their time and effort to their studies to complete within the given time and constantly seek assistance when need arose. ENDS