Sello Motseta
30th November 2019
The Botswana International University of Science and Technology(BIUST) held its fourth graduation ceremony Saturday and conferred degrees on 390 graduands in Bachelor of Sciences, Bachelor of Engineering, Masters and PHD’s in a myriad of disciplines.
There were 275 graduands in the Faulty of Engineering and Technology consisting of 272 Bachelor of Engineering and 3 of Engineering. There were also 115 graduands in the Faculty of Sciences, consisting of 105 Bachelor of Sciences, 7 Masters of Science and 3 Doctors of Philosophy.
Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, the Vice Chancellor of Botswana International University of Science and Technology(BIUST), in his welcome remarks said “I stand proud to announce that the conferment of degrees to the class of 2019, brings honour and renewed hope to graduands and parents as we inject a fresh breed of skills in industry who will join various sectors of the economy, being mining, water, engineering, telecommunications, finance, business and laboratory, ICT and banking industries in the quest to find solutions to community challenges.”
He said, “BIUST is forever indebted to the Botswana Government for the financial support. The Government has generously agreed to sponsor 7 projects under the National development Plan(NDP) 11. These being the construction of the new state of art library building, student centre, the new dining hall and the expansion of the two main faculty classrooms and research laboratories, date centres and the auditorium. These projects are taking shape to match the ever evolving demand for services as the University expands in pursuit of excellence and knowledge in the fourth industrial revolution being.”
The guest of honour Dr Tiro Mamapane, who is the Founder and President of Boitekanelo College, the first private healthcare institution that was formed in 2007 shared words of encouragement with graduates imploring them to turn challenges into opportunities.
“I have learn that the bigger the problem, the larger the opportunities and I therefore challenge you as engineers, scientists of class of 2019 from this magnificent an amazing university, to use the knowledge that you have acquired to harness the technology with the understanding to solve todays problems,” said Mampane.
He said, “As Botswana is moving towards a knowledge based economy, as graduands of 2019 position yourselves to apply your specialized knowledge to transform and solve Botswana’s problems.”
Towards the close of the graduation ceremony the winner of the best student in Faculty of Engineering and Technology, best student in the Department of Chemicals, materials and Metallurgical Engineering and the Best Overall Student Emmanuel Pax Makhura, shared words of wisdom with fellow students at BIUST after winning a host of accolades for his outstanding academic performances.
“I chose to divert my attention to my academics and kept my dream alive by marrying my books, committing to complete my assignments on time and divorcing the things that were a hindrance to my dream,” said Makhura.
He said, “I wish to thank BIUST for not only enabling me to excel academically but also for strengthening my character. Life is a journey, time is a challenge but character is a must have because it is the platform of life.”
