BIUST hold inaugural research and innovation symposium
Lindiwe Mozola | Tuesday June 20, 2017 16:42
The Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Alfred Madigele said this at the symposium held recently under the theme ‘Research and innovation for a simpler tommorrow’.
He said that the theme is critical as there is need to continuously seek solutions to the challenges of how economies can be improved to suite the demands of the global standard.
Madigele further said, “We also need to remain resolute in our quest to improve on the products and solutions that are in place.
Furthermore, it has been established that innovation is one of the key drivers of economic growth in developed countries and it is equally true that the leading international companies have identified the value of investing in research and innovation”.
He revealed that the latest Bank of Botswana report for 2016 has highlighted that innovation is a key determinant of trade, enabling businesses to produce more at a lower relative cost, achieving economies of scale and introducing cheaper, better quality products.
Moreover, the report indicates that Botswana‘s performance in innovation is weak as reflected by the latest world rankings.
“Therefore this symposium accords us the opportunity to work collectively towards raising the standard of innovation of this country in driving its economy,” Madigele said. He also emphasised that research should engage other national priorities and seek ways of using innovation and research to realise those goals that is, making job-creation a number one priority, taking Batswana out of poverty and eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.
Madigele said he hopes that the symposium will initiate the birth of new research ideas, provide networking opportunities, promote collaborations between research institutions and to engage communities and local industries to address the needs of Botswana, the region and the international community at large.
BIUST vice chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said that the symposium is a testimony that they are on course to be an institution of excellence as well as to be innovators and inventors of repute.
He said that the exciting thing about the symposium is that the exhibitors are from the educational divide, from secondary schools to tertiary institutions, and by both undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as by the industry.
“With this symposium, we believe we will showcase our people’s ability to innovate and invent for the betterment of our economies as well as simplifying our lives as whole,” Totolo said. He added that BIUST plans to hold the symposium annually.