Page 12 - issue 19

12 In The News

BUIST research in the wake of a poor

patent record of <5 patents by 2016

as compared to Japan’s >500K year-on-year

Media Tour of BIUST Facilities Vice Chancellor Professor Totolo

otswana International skills and expertise, is high on BIUST’s of Research and Development (R&D
University of Science & corporate social responsibility agenda. personnel of about 2.7 researchers per
Technology (BIUST) Vice “BIUST has embarked on a Research- 1000 as below the optimal threshold; and
Chancellor (VC) Professor and- Innovation-Strategy intended to low Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD)
BOtlogetswe Totolo says that prioritize the establishment of research as % of GDP.In addition, University
policy makers and economists agree groups, clusters, platforms and networks Research focussed in areas that do not
that at least half, if not more, of the in; aligned to local, national, regional have long term ‘high value’. Moreover,
economic growth in countries is directly and international needs and demands.” inadequate management of S&T
attributable to science and technology. indicators, priority areas, monitoring
He said that the late Botswana’s second and political leadership, minimised the
Botswana as a lower middle economy President Sir Ketumile Masire drove technological dividend. Overly focus
in transition depends on technological the point home on the Scientific, on adaptation of technologies which
research and innovation for an economy Technological and Economics dividend restricts breakthrough ideas, summed
driven by engaging skilled labour to in March 1955: ‘We cannot survive up the demise.
diversify into an export-oriented market. the ruthless world of today without
Addressing the media on-campus harvesting Science & Technology. Only “The current University bias dwelt more
on August 30, Prof Totolo said: “In a science led development will give us a towards teaching than research in the
globalizing, knowledge driven world chance to become serious players in the wake of a poor patent record of <5
laying emphasis on increasing the international market place’. patents by 2016 as compared to Japan’s
importance of service industries and >500K year-on-year”, he said.
technological competitiveness becomes However, the biggest challenge lies on In the quest for Research and Innovation
paramount. a geometrically accumulating deficit Excellence, BIUST strategic areas
of the country’s Science &Technology included the Climate Change Society,
”Promoting community, national, landscape based on a very small Science Natural Resources Management,
regional and international development & Technology human resources (HR) Sustainable Mining, Green Economy,
through the transfer of the University’s base with about 2, 160 employees >>> P13
knowledge and the provision of its within the system; total employment

Issue 19 Oct/Nov - 2018 www.engineermagazine.co.bw