Page 15 - issue 21

In The News 15

BIUST urged to increase foreign

students’ intake

• Government is working around the clock to facilitate both local and

international investments in the country in order to create more jobs

• img credit : govt facebook

otswana International University science, technology and innovation private tertiary institutions must seek
of Science and Technology (BIUST) in order to trigger transformation to to progressively engage in a process of
Brecently held its graduation a knowledge based economy. He also increasing their numbers of international
ceremony in Palapye on the 23rd of assured attendees present that “My students. This will help to reduce their
February 2019.This occasion was graced Government has taken steps to ensure financial dependence on Government,
by several key citizens as well as the that the transformation of education and but most importantly, it will serve in
BIUST Board members. These included training, through the Human Resource cementing the long term international
the Former President of the Republic Development Strategy of 2009, receives connectedness of the country through
of Botswana, and also the Chancellor the necessary support in order for our global networks of alumni”, he said.
of BIUST Dr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, education to meet the needs of industry. Graduates are expected to provide
The Minister of Tertiary Education, As part of our discourse on this journey, solutions to national problems. In this
Research, Science and Technology, all institutions of higher learning like era of high unemployment rates, they
Honourable Thapelo Olopeng, The BIUST are expected to embrace and need to be able to work in the global
Permanent Secretary to the President, work hard towards transforming our market.
Mr Carter Morupisi,The Chancellor of economy”. “Some of you will go into the workforce,
the University of Botswana, Ms Linah while others will pursue further studies.
Mohohlo and The Vice Chancellor of the Dr Masisi went on to elaborate that Others will go into business. All these
University of Botswana Professor David In order to commodify knowledge, are the choices each one of you will
Norris. institutions of higher learning should make after this graduation ceremony.
offer programmes that are industry I have no doubt that you are better
The President ,Honourable Dr Masisi needs specific, futuristic, and viable. placed to represent BIUST as its Brand
gave the keynote address .He thanked In this regard, programmes offered Ambassadors”.
BIUST for creating a platform were he by institutions of higher learning As Government, Dr Masisi said they
could dialogue with Batswana and he should move away from domesticating are concerned at the rate at which the
emphasized that it was one of his top knowledge to globalising it, in order country continues to have unemployed
priorities of transforming the economy to increase Botswana graduates’ graduates. To address this challenge,
of this country to a knowledge based competitiveness. “Furthermore, our Government is working around the clock
economy. The President referred to his excellence in education should be to facilitate both local and international
State of Nation Address in November measured by how many foreign students investments in the country in order to
last year where he indicated that in we can attract to study in Botswana create more jobs.
line with the National Vision 2036 he because we have international
was prioritizing investment in research, universities. Therefore, our public and

www.engineermagazine.co.bw Issue 21 Apr/May- 2019