09 Oct 2025

Gabane Junior Secondary School learners have been encouraged to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which will give them an opportunity to pursue careers in Space Science.

Speaking during the commemoration of the World Space Day: Botswana Space Science in Gabane on Monday, Professor Motsoptse Modisi of the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) said the world was going digital hence learners should pursue courses that explored space technology.

He further said BIUST had been set up for the purpose of enhancing science and technology innovation.

Prof. Modisi, who is the president of the Astronomical Society of Botswana (ASB), said one of their objectives was to reach out to learners across the country and stimulate their interest in STEM subjects.

He said ASB focused on among others, stimulating wider interest in and awareness of Astronomy.

Prof. Modisi further said Astronomy was a natural science that studies celestial objects such as planets, moons, stars, galaxies and numerous other objects.

He said space technology was a field where young people must be encouraged to venture into, hence engaging in outreach programmes targeting schools.

Prof. Modisi said it was important to develop desired skills and grow Space-related professions.

University of Botswana’s Senior Lecturer, Environmental Quality, Dr Pulane Koosaletse-Mswela said the theme: Focus on Africa: Space Science and Technology for Future Development challenged them to look beyond the skies and imagine the opportunities that lied ahead for Botswana’s youth.

When sharing on the FAST4Future Project, Dr Koosaletse-Mswela said the initiative, which was funded by the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education Programme of the European Union, brought together 66 team members across the 13 higher education institutions in Africa and beyond, working through seven coordinated work packages.

“At its heart, FAST4Future is about building capacity, innovation and inclusion in Space Science and technology through collaborative research, teaching and outreach. We aim to ensure that no learner, no teacher and no nation is left behind in this new frontier,” she said.

Dr Koosaletse-Mswela said the event was not just a celebration of science but a call for action, therefore saying Gabane learners’ curiosity was their greatest telescope and they should keep looking up, asking questions and learning as there was no limitation to what they could achieve.

BIUST Director of Outreach and Engagement, Dr Haniso Motlhabane said it was necessary to engage learners and teachers on the importance of taking advantage of the space technology to pursue different professions.

“We are in the era of the 4^th industrial revolution where almost everything is done using technology and people now are accustomed to acquiring services in the digital space.”

As such, he said BIUST saw it fit to come up with a strategy to stimulate interest among learners, as the country wanted to enhance development through technology.

He added that catching them young remained an important step in giving them direction to shape a better future.

Dr Motlhabane said the idea was to attract learners that were bold enough to undertake research and science missions, be inquisitive and explored objects in space. ENDS