26 Aug 2024

Through cutting edge research in science, engineering, and technology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) remains a pioneering force in propelling the country to a knowledge-based economy.

Notable projects undertaken by the university include the Square Kilometre Array, Botswana Satellite (BOTSAT 1) and drones project.

Upon completion, BOTSAT1 will collect critical data on land use, agriculture, water resources, wildlife and urban development to be used in decision-making and promote sustainable developments in Botswana.

BIUST Vice chancellor, Professor Otlogetwe Totolo in a previous interview said given the unique and superb technologies developed at BIUST, the university had potential to transform Botswana from an upper middle-income to a high-income economy by 2036.

The university has developed and programmed drones and is yet to engage the Ministry of Health to have the drones deliver medication at health facilities, particularly in remote areas.

It also has a dream of a technology park as it gears towards being the university of industries.
Prof. Totolo said BIUST aimed to set up an aviation school, to which they had already identified a willing partner.

The institution’s academic curricula for undergraduate programmes Prof. Totolo said covered courses that equipped students with business management, entrepreneurship and other soft skills needed for them to be well-rounded STEM graduates and further noted that the six months internship students underwent before graduating always got them positive feedback from companies about BIUST students excelling in their work

BIUST produces quality graduates trained to employ themselves, Prof. Totolo said.

Other noteworthy programmes by the university include the digital Temo Crop Management System (CMS) which it is hoped will bolster management of arable farming.

CMS is an automated productivity based programme with a focus on revolutionising agricultural process and although BIUST did not develop Temo Letlotlo  programme, it was assigned to automate  all its processes.

BIUST has also been appointed as the African Very Long Baseline (VLBI) Network project custodian by the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge, and Technology and will host the first radio telescope through the African VLBI Network.

This affiliation is a three-way partnership between BIUST, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) South Africa and the Max-Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfRA) Germany, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding towards the project has already been signed. ENDS