Page 10 - issue 25

10 In The News

University Of Botswana to

open an Innovation Centre

open to all

University of Botswana Vice Chancellor Professor Norris

niversity of Botswana Vice industry as the industry sets investment propelling Botswana to be a key
Chancellor Professor Norris in Botswana.” participant in the fourth industrial
Uattended the Makeathon revolution. University of Botswana is
Dinner and also gave an address to A significant number of researchers working towards playing a significant
participants and otganisers. He could at UB have embraced and worked role in the national innovation system
not applaud enough the efforts by with new technological innovations by establishing an Innovation Centre
VDMA,Germany Embassy and ITQ of the fourth industrial revolution that will incubate staff and students'
GmbH .Botswana is the second country era such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and ideas into products and
in Africa after Tunisia to host the Smart ,Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, High services. This Centre will be open to all
Green Makeathon". Performance Computing and others. those with innovative ideas.
These technologies have become a core
He said this is a concept that has been curriculum activity, particularly in the “Since the beginning of the event,
developed over the years (in some STEM disciplines.In recognizing their we have seen spectacular displays of
countries) to build engineeringand role as a higher institution of learning creativity and innovation by our young
innovation skills amongst University responsible for education and training, participants and we will cap this tonight
students and graduates. The Vice the University of Botswana has taken with the unveiling of another which for
Chancellor explained that , “By hosting robust steps to ensuring that Botswana now remains a secret. I trust that this is
the Smart Green Makeathon, we are is not left behind as the fourth industrial only the beginning of greater things to
aiming to achieve the two objectives revolution marches on. come and we should all look forward
of training students. Firstly, to embrace to be part of this transformational
innovation and creativity as a way of life The University has set up a 'Think Tank’ journey.”
in the advent of the Fourth Industrial to lead the exploratory discussions
Revolution (4IR). Secondly, it is to build so they can leverage on its human
capacity and develop technical skills that resources and infrastructure towards
will be required by the electric mobility

Issue 25 - Dec/Jan 2020 www.engineermagazine.co.bw