Page 15 - issue 28 2020

News 15

by : Mwiza Kunyuma

r Kebaneilwe Labani Senior that is needed in challenging times.” The consumption.
lecturer Biological Science and minister went on to express that, “with
DTechnology gave the opening your education it will not be enough in To curb the threat posed by the Covid-19
welcome remarks. She stated that due the world.” pandemic, the university manufactures
to unprecedented times the graduation of soaps and sanitisers which are
ceremony would be held virtually. The knowledge based economy can only distributed for free nationally.
be achieved through improving tertiary
“We know the amount of resilience that education system. His ministry is also 6. Drones were developed with help
you have had to display to be a part of playing an important role in creating a from Botswana Defense Force were
this day now were your awards are now digital transformation in the country built and they were used to spray public
been conferred. We hope you enjoyed strategy as well as working towards a spaces .
your academic journey with us. Where SMART Botswana. 7.BIUST and Themba Labs built a Covid
we endeavor to bring challenging and 19 dashboard to monitor geological
thought provoking Programmes aligned In concluding his speech he spread of pandemic among other
to the needs of the economy. BIUST congratulated the class of 2020 and notable achievements.
is working towards to be a premier said, “it is your moment to contribute to
research based university bring quality society, grab it and shine cause I believe The Vice Chancellor urged the
learning experience to all of you.” in all of you.” graduating class of 2020 to, “Hold
University flag high and demonstrate
The Distinguished Professor Dennis Professor Totolo, the BIUST Vice that you are worth to be BIUST alumni.”
Siginer who is the Deputy Vice Chancellor said he takes pride in the Dr.Annah Mokgokgong Chancellor
Chancellor Academic Affairs called student’s remarkable accomplishments North West University who was invited
upon the council and declared the and thus the theme, ‘innovation as guest speaker touched on important
congregation duly constituted and technology and entrepreneurship: topics around the pandemic and
commence the graduation. access to knowledge based economy in entrepreneurship. She congratulated
the Covid-19 era.’ the graduates and acknowledged the
His Excellency former President of devastation caused by the pandemic
Botswana Festus Mogae ,the BIUST “Dr. Mogae will confer 373 graduates. and how it has affected all sectors
chancellor in his capacity declared 269 from Faculty of Engineering and globally. “Covid 19 has led to an
commencement of the graduation and Technology consisting of 262 Bachelor increase in entrepreneurial activity
awarding of degrees to the class of of Engineering and 7 Master of which we call ‘thinking outside the
2020. Engineering degrees.102 graduates box.’ Your graduation is in good time
He said ,“it’s a time to celebrate from Faculty of Sciences consisting of as you can take advantage of these
accomplishment of hard work and 80 Bachelor of Science and 15 Masters. opportunities. Technology, innovation
your quest to acquire knowledge. The Amidst the conferment sits two doctors and entrepreneurship should be life
skills and knowledge u have acquired for having clambered to the very summit savers of today’s new normal as evident
will provide a platform for you to of academic achievement. Namely from the proliferation of innovation
continue meaningful development of Chipepa Fastel (Phd Statistcs) And worldwide.”The guest speaker
your community, country and world at Mphago Banyatsang (Phd Computer highlighted notableawards by Biust.
large. Therefore I Challenge you to work Science).”
tirelessly towards bringing a challenge “In the Oliver Tambo Africa Chair
to these societal challenges, science is The Professor gave a brief highlight of competition BIUST was elected as one of
knowledge and knowledge is power.” the University progress: the top African universities and research
1. Coal to liquid refinery set up in Palapye institution to be awarded an honorary
Minister of Tertiary Education, producing coal liquefying by products award from this Research chamber.
Research, Science and Technology such as fuel ammonia using pyrolysis This election process was done by the
Honorable Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe technology They have partnered with national research foundation of SA.”
gave salutations. “You have made it Botswana oil and SEZA . “1.4million euros was granted by
under special circumstances and this is a 2. Making electricity through coal, solar European Commission to BIUST under
true reflection of life itself as nothing is 3.Farmyard monitoring system Intra-Africa academic mobility scheme.
ever guaranteed and one should always 4.patent electrical switching for She went on to note key innovators
be prepared to show agility and ability installation build to optimize power within the pandemic.

www.engineerbw.com Issue 28 - Dec/Jan 2021