27 Jun 2024

Embodied in the launch of the ‘Motshameko O Phepa Scholarship’, Gambling Authority (GA) and the University of Botswana (UB) signed an agreement towards the sustainable development of the gambling industry.

Through the partnership, six master’s students and four doctoral students will be funded to pursue advanced studies under supervision of the UB faculties at the university.

Delivering remarks at the signing ceremony in Gaborone Monday, Gambling Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Kesitilwe, said the Motshameko O Phepa Scholarship was more than a financial grant and described it as an investment in the future of the gambling industry.

Mr Kesitilwe said by supporting 10 individuals they were laying the foundation for innovative research, thought leadership, and the development of a knowledge-based economy.

He said the scholars would contribute significantly to the growth and development of Botswana’s gambling landscape, adding that their mandate included regulating and controlling the gambling industry in Botswana to ensure fair play, transparency, and protection of citizens from gambling-related harm.

He said they were committed to promoting responsible gambling practices, preventing gambling addiction, and ensuring that the industry operated in a socially responsible manner, citing that the collaboration aligned with their mandate. Mr Kesitilwe said he hoped the master’s students would commence their studies in the 2024/25 academic year, with the expectation of completing their programmes by 2026/27.

As for PhD candidates, he said, they would also begin their academic journey in 2024/25, aiming to complete their research and dissertations by 2029/2030.

These timelines reflected commitment to providing comprehensive and rigorous academic training, ensuring that scholars were well-prepared to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, he said.

Meanwhile, UB Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Norris, said without doubt, UB had contributed immensely towards human capital development in Botswana, however, one thing they have not done well was creating new knowledge.

Prof. Norris said new knowledge was created through research and innovation, therefore, as part of their transformation as a university they have placed research at the centre of what they want to be doing going forward.

He said nowadays knowledge was pivotal in powering economies and as such they were eager to have the outside world consume what comes out of their research.

Prof Norris said the relationship with Gambling Authority was pivotal in generating knowledge that was instrumental in the gaming industry space. Ends