22 Oct 2023

University of Botswana (UB) 2023 graduates have been advised to change their mindset and development trajectory of the country by being innovative and sustenance conscious.

Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Education, Mr Aubrey Lesaso thus advised the graduates on October 19, imploring them to embrace the mindset change campaign, which he said was aimed at promoting the country’s socio-economic development and maintaining an ethos of sustainability and equity. 

As such he advised them to continue learning and lead purposeful lives characterised by dreams.

He said their decision-making must be underpinned by sustainability to advance the interests of the country further.

He said their innovation and knowledge should be turned to tangible and sustainable products that had commercial value.

He also said UB graduates should champion sustainability as a moral imperative and not a mere pathway, and that as future leaders it was their responsibility to ensure that their innovation was not only economically beneficial, but also environmentally and socially responsible.

Mr Lesaso said it was time intellectuals researched on innovative ways to address challenges bedevilling communities.

He acknowledged research conducted by the university that was aimed at, among other things, enhancing the institution as a research-intensive university that utilised the country’s industrial vision.

He commended the faculty of science for conducting research on a vaccine aimed at tackling the prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease and lumpy skin disease in the country.

He said the initiative ensured the sustainability of the beef industry and its ecosystem. 

He also said the said vaccine development, which was done  in partnership with Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), provided solutions designed to target all kinds of Foot and Mouth Disease variants. 

Mr Lesaso also said all research conducted in the country would improve the research ecosystem.

For his part, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris implored graduates to utilise entrepreneurship support programmes offered by the Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency and Local Enterprise Authority.

He also said the university’s business clinic was open for them, and appealed to them to be active in the UB Alumni network and activities. ENDS