Limkokwing offers to sponsor 10 students with disability

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Monday December 13, 2010 00:00

The P585, 000 scholarship was presented by Vice President (Corporate and Industry Relations) Mosoma Kgotla to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Augustine Makgonatsotlhe, who was standing in for Assistant Minister Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The institution would be paying tuition and other academic costs while the Botswana government would be expected to cover the living expenses for the students.

Speaking at the official opening of the Limkokwing's first open day held at its Block 7 campus, Kgotla said that from inception LUCT had committed itself to delivering a university with the latest technological infrastructure and to providing education to 10, 000 students guided by the core needs of the country's economy and Vision 2016 ideals.

He revealed that the institution would be introducing short and part-time programmes to cater for the varied needs for continuing education, which would include serving employees who want to pursue further training.

Advisory board member Mike Klinck said the physically challenged must be allowed an opportunity to excel in their academic progression because they have much potential as exemplified by Gotlhe Balemogi, Limkokwing's former student who produces and presents 'Sensational Lives' on eBotswana.

When delivering his keynote address, Dr John Mothibi said that LUCT must be delivering what the industry needs from the partnerships it has forged with government key stakeholders like Vision 2016 Council, President's Day Independence Celebration Committee and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture. He said the Limkokwing Entrepreneurship Acceleration Platform (LEAP) is a major milestone in the transformation of the tertiary education landscape in the country.

'LEAP does not only complement academic learning, but it brings the students in direct contact with the world of work and helps them develop practical and entrepreneurship skills and knowledge relevant to industry needs,' Mothibi said.

On his part, member of industry advisory council and Managing Director of Native Group, Mpho Balopi said since the advent of Limkokwing in Botswana, the Native group has had the opportunity to experience first hand Limkokwing products through the engagement of full-time staff. 

Balopi explained that the private sector is an impatient employer and requires graduates who are productive from the word go and have an immediate impact.