Page 12 - issue 25

12 BIUST Post Graduation

Quality and

maintenance

of high

academic

standards

is the main

currency at

BIUST

BIUST Vice Chancellor : Professor Otlogetswe Totolo

he fourth Graduation ceremony for is the main currency of the University on government’s development plans. “Do not be
Botswana International University which it builds its reputation and its long term left behind, you have what it takes”, he said.
Tof Science and Technology (BIUST) future. The Government is set to sponsor seven
was held on the 30th November 2019. projects under the National Development
Distinguished Guests such as the Minister In December 2018 the University was Plan (NDP) 11. These being the construction
of Tertiary Education, Science Research registered as a Higher Education Training of the new state of the art Library building,
and Technology Honorable Dr.Douglas Provider by the Botswana Qualifications Student Centre, the new Dining Hall and the
Letsholathebe also attended this event. The Authority (BQA). Substantial progress was expansion of the two main Faculty classrooms
Vice Chancellor Professor Totolo gave the made in preparing the academic programme and research laboratories, data centers, and
welcome remarks. portfolio which will pave the way for the the auditorium. These projects are taking
registration of its programmes on the National shape to match the ever evolving demand for
He applauded the BIUST Students as they Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF) services as the University expands in pursuit
continue to raise the Botswana flag high. and subsequently to receive recognition by of excellence and knowledge in the fourth
He said that they always top in national and the Engineering Registration Board (ERB) and industrial revolution.
international competitions. “Just recently, international accreditation by the Engineering
a team of five engineering and technology Council of South Africa (ECSA). Professor The Professor highlighted Research
students participated in the Makeathon Totolo explained that this registration was Performance and said he was pleased that the
competitions spearheaded by the German important to ensure the university’s academic Per Capita Output: 0.91, Weighted Citation
Mechanical Engineering Industry Association programmes are aligned to the needs of the Impact: 0.89, Research publication per
(VGMA) to develop a solar powered electric national economy as well as being able to academic staff stands at 0.6 and Total External
car prototype. BIUST technical team played make a unique contribution internationally. Research Funds Received from 1st April, to
an instrumental role in the development Student employability is a key indicator of 31st March 2019. BWP 4,190,838.90 (0.85%)
of this prototype. This is a demonstration the relevance of the University’s academic of Total University Revenue (BWP489,932,
that we have the right technical skills and programmes. 424.37),” he said.
know-how to open investment avenues in
Botswana and construct a solar powered BIUST graduation was held under the In his concluding statement the Professor said
electric car prototype. The team from BIUST theme ‘Harnessing Innovative Technologies, “BIUST is proud to play its role in not only
had partnered with other tertiary institutions entrepreneurship in pursuit of a knowledge equipping its students with knowledge and
in the design and delivery of a mobile electric based economy’.He went on to encourage skills but also instill skills required of them
car. I accord them special recognition!”,he graduands to position themselves to create to assume more proactive roles towards
said . business ventures in 2020 and beyond, transforming Botswana’s economy from
commercialise their technologies, create resource-based to knowledge-based and the
The Professor told the guests that quality employment, and partner with strategic one that embraces the positive potential of
and maintenance of high academic standards financiers for project financing in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

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