26 Sep 2022

BIUST’s research output should be geared towards the creation of goods and services that solve the socio-economic challenges people face on a daily basis, Mr Aubrey Lesaso has said.

 The education and skills development assistant minister was speaking at the university’s 7th graduation ceremony on Friday. 

“I am aware that BIUST continues to play a major role in the country’s research and innovation space as we continue to move towards a more knowledge based economy, but I still believe more can be done,” he said.

For example, Mr Lesaso said he was aware of a prototype-car project, designed and manufactured at BIUST that was recently delivered in Masunga for the benefit of Mr Batshani Sekoto.

He urged the BIUST leadership to remain dedicated to driving the university’s mission and vision and contribute to achieving the national transformation agenda targets outlined in Vision 2036.

The vision was very much aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, said the assistant minister.

 He informed his audience of government’s commitment to promoting and developing policies that supported productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Mr Lesaso said through the newly-established Ministry of Entrepreneurship, government planned to engage the private sector in order to form private sector-led partnerships that supported the nation’s socio-economic needs.

“The new ministry will be used as a catalyst for creating an environment that is conducive for the establishment of business in Botswana,” he stated.

 On the other hand, his ministry aimed to ensure an increase in the number of youth and adults who had relevant skills, including technical and vocational, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

“As you graduate today, be ready to go out there and face the world, be innovative and apply the knowledge and skills you acquired here to be the change that this country needs,” he advised the graduates.

For his part, BIUST vice chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said with 298 graduates, this year’s graduation was an achievement.

“This is a marked increase from the 58 that graduated back in 2016 as our first graduates,” he said.

The  graduation was celebrated under the theme; Building a University of Industries through a Well-rounded Ecosystem for Economic Transformation and Innovative Entrepreneurship.

  Stanbic Bank Botswana sponsored the event to the tune of P500 000. ENDS