Molefhi unveils transport sector journal

Pauline Dikuelo | Friday July 18, 2014 11:24

Launching the edition at the sixth Africa Transportation Conference this week, the Minister of Transport and Communications Nonofo Molefhi said it was an effective medium and catalyst for improvements in disseminating experiences, technologies, best practices as well as innovations.

“The world is increasingly faced with complex problems that require adoption of innovative researches and approaches that will bring lasting and sustainable solutions. With proper coordination, transport experts are poised to help solve problems at this level of complexity and importance,” he said.

Molefhi explained that the extent and efficiency of a country’s technology transfer system could reveal the extent of that country’s development noting that globalisation and evolving technologies are driving profound changes in the role played by transportation in the society.

“To attain global stature and tackle critical societal challenges in transport sector will depend on how we nurture the research and publication ecosystem.

“I am aware that in the global knowledge driven economy technological innovation - the transformation of knowledge into producers, proves that services is critical to competitiveness, long term productivity growth and the generation of wealth,” he said.

The journal is also expected to sensitise the public on the achievements of the Technology Transfer (T2) unit, which has been in operation three years ago and is based at the University of Botswana.

The main objective of the unit is to improve transportation through the dissemination of relevant transport technological information, training and research, enhancement of traffic safety and fostering of more economical, efficient and environmentally sound transportation in Botswana

The establishment of the T2 Unit has already facilitated international networking with other technology transfer centers around the world to access other information exchange networks. It has also received a range of relevant transportation research publications from Federal Highway Administration, USA that are available for dissemination to relevant stakeholders.

“This has enabled professionals to realise the benefits of improved access to world-wide expertise, easier assessment of local practices against international practices and faster dissemination and implementation of new technology.”

The MTC have been providing annual funding for the recurrent expenses of T2 while the University of Botswana has been managing the centre. The Federal highway administration of the United States of America was involved in the establishment of the unit. Another edition of the journal is expected to be out in December.