07 Nov 2022

Botswana International University of Science and Technology staff, students and other stakeholders on Saturday embarked in a 10km sponsored walk in a bid to raise funds to construct a DNA lab at the school.

The walk was also part of the build-up activities towards the celebration of BUIST 10 years anniversary

Speaking at the end of the walk, BUIST vice chancellor, professor Otlogetswe Totolo said the theme, A walk to celebrate 10 years of driving change, was fitting as BIUST would be celebrating 10 years since the first cohort of students set foot at the then half-way campus in Oodi.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we intend to raise funds towards facilitating the BIUST, to conduct Scientific Research to generate solutions to address unmet national challenges. There is an identified need in Forensic Science within the Faculty of Science of the BIUST,” he said.

Professor Totolo highlighted that Botswana was saddled with challenges such as murder, drug overdose, child deaths, road traffic accidents and domestic abuse among others, where in some instances family members of the victims faced challenges of identifying theirs, hence the need for a DNA lab at BUIST.

He said the institution had the capacity to train those who could assist in solving such heinous crimes but the challenge was proper facilities and equipment.

“It is against this background that we decided on raising funds to construct a DNA lab. Our scientists and researchers will then have a facility to assist the nation in managing the challenges I just mentioned,” he said. ENDS