The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) opened the 5th STEM Festival and 2nd Research and Innovation Symposium (RAIS) at BIUST Tuesday in an effort to promote corporate culture of engagement for development with 120 pre-university students exhibiting innovative projects to encourage interest in science and inquiry based learning to further problem solving.
It was held under theme ‘STEM driven economy: transforming research into profitable products and services to complement efforts by the Botswana Government to move from a resource based economy to knowledge based economy by prioritizing investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through institutions like BIUST.
“Through this festival and the symposium the university seeks to deepen its commitment and strengthen its core mission of research and innovation as well as application,” said Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, Vice Chancellor of BIUST.
He said, “At BIUST we are highly privileged as we occupy a piece of land worth 2,500 hectares and have a student base of 2,000 all housed on campus and proud that 2% of our staff are drawn from the international community whom will also be showcasing their products and research skills and experience here today.”
Totolo maintained the university looks forward to the development of 5 major infrastructural projects during National Development Plan 11 aimed at developing the university to international status. These infrastructural developments will include the library, the cafeteria, the student center and the multi million multi purpose hall with the revised National Policy on Research, Science Technology and Innovation (RSTI) of 2011 stressing the importance of reacting a supportive environment.
The policy intends to increase investment in research and development activities to at least two percent (2%). Currently, government’s contribution to research and development stood a 0.07% of the GDP in 2016/17 financial year and 0.09% in the 2017/2018.
“Transforming research into profitable products and service can strengthen sustained progress towards improved living conditions by building environmentally friendly and more efficient societies into profitable products and services,” said Totolo.
According to officials the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) emphasizes that member states should invest in science, technology and innovation as a precursor to economic development and social progress.
“To ensure achievement of this priority, Government will improve access to tertiary education through provision of funding and infrastructural development for public institutions. In this connection, it is important for Botswana to train experts in STEM programmes in order for our country to become globally competitive,” said Moiseraele Maser Goya, Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology.
According to officials, technological and scientific revolts underpin economic advances translating into improvement in health systems, education, infrastructure and doing business.
“What is in question is why the pace of uptake and development has lagged in Africa and by extension in Botswana,” said Edwin Elias, Debswana’s Diamond Company Head of Processing.
He said, “I wish to challenge BIUST to double its efforts in engaging private sector/industry for collaboration and co-STEM development. It is surely in the interests of industry to find local solutions to its business challenges.”
The importance of inquiry based to solve societal problems affecting the community was demonstrated by young science students holding an exhibition at BIUST with two students showcasing a study lamp powered by cow dung and terminal batteries.
“We have created a plant house with beakers containing battery terminals and cow dung to make a study lamp for student who do not have access to electricity especially for reading. Methane gas used to activate batteries creating light in an environmentally friendly way and at much cheaper cost,” said Rose Makuku, a form IV student at Shakawe Senior Secondary School.
She said, “This light from does not produce gases that are harmful to atmosphere.”
The study lamp light source lasts for two weeks and produces 7 volts using 12 terminal batteries.
