Page 6 - issue 25

6 Cover Story

VDMA

A catalyst in Propelling

Botswana towards

industry 4.0

ead of Education International, her ideas of how she wanted to diversify solar, smart technology and just let
Dr Norbert Volker of the VDMA the industry in Botswana, he proposed them do what they have to do, hence
Hin an interview told Engineer especially to look for the youngsters. the solar powered car,” said Dr Volker.
Magazine Botswana that VDMA is a key VDMA has a huge expertise of how to The event was hosted at the University
partner in the Smart Green Botswana address and educate the youngsters of Botswana faculty of Engineering
Makeathon 2019 themed ‘Propelling and prepare them for industry. Besides and Technology, the Dean of Faculty
Botswana towards industry 4.0.’ VDMA technicall vocational training, which is Professor Ben Bolaane concurred with
is the German Mechanical Industry supported in Botswana by VDMA also, Dr Volker of VDMA when he said “The
Association comprising of more than one of the concepts is a makeathon Makeathon provides an opportunity
3200 mechanical industry companies. which was delivered under the technical for all participants to present their
Dr Volker expressed his delight to be in expertise of ITQ GmbH (a profound innovative ideas in resolving challenges
Botswana again and to see the Inaugural German mechatronics, software and before them. It is these small steps in
Makeathon Green hosted by Botswana. member of VDMA. innovation that will set a platform for
Botswana to be an active participant in
ITQ GmBH’s Chief Executive Officer Makeathons are about bringing the 4th industrial revolution”
Doctor Engineer Rainer Stetter students together from different
provided the experience and expertise backgrounds with different skills. They The Embassy of Botswana in Germany
in organizing a Makeathon event. will be given a set of tools to work with contributed to the preparations of
Addressing the students during and complete tough tasks. They will be the Makeathon Green 2019, while the Dr Norbert Volker
the official opening of Makeathon working together to accomplish these VDMA played a pivotal sponsorship role Head of Education International -VDMA
Dr.Eng Stetter from ITQ Gmbh tasks. The students were drawn from and providing communication between
said,“Makeathon you‘MAKE’ and University of Botswana (UB), Botswana the Botswana Government and ITQ
Hackathon you hack.” The whole idea International University of Science and GmBh which is a member of the VDMA.
was conceived in Germany following the Technology (BIUST), Munich University, Mr Fabian Kyrieleis of the Embassy for
visit to Germany by the former Minister Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and The Republic of Germany said “Germany
of Trade and Investment Ms.Bogolo Joy South Africa. “The important thing is is happy to support this for example
Kenewendo. the youngsters need to be trained to be in the field of Technical and vocational
innovative and bring the young people training together with Dr.Volker and
When Dr. Völker had the chance to together. Let them think in terms of his team from VDMA with the “skilled
meet Kenewendo in Germany and got

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Issue 25 - Dec/Jan 2020