BOU COMMENDED FOR INNOVATION
While the COVID-19 has disrupted our lives in unimaginable ways, the Chief Executive Officer of Mascom, Dzene Makhwade-Seboni has commended Botswana Open University (BOU) for not letting the COVID-19 challenges become obstacles by turning into innovation for opportunities.
Speaking during the Botswana Open University’s 2020/21 Second Batch Virtual Graduation held Tuesday, MakhwadeSeboni said the graduation was realised in a unique way, given the disruptions caused by the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
She said that this is a clear demonstration of the learners and univiersity’s resilience and adaptability.
“Well-done to the BOU leadership for not allowing the challenges to become obstacles, and for turning them into opportunities for innovation. You must be congratulated for being responsive to this tidal wave of change, and for demonstrating your commitment to being an agent of change,” said Makhwade-Seboni.
Makhwade-Seboni noted that the theme for the graduation, Leading e-Education for Digital Transformation, is relevant as it E-education resonated well with the Open and Distance Learning methodology that forms BOU’s DNA, and is aligned to the institution’s strategic intent as articulated in the 2019-23 Strategic Plan: to leverage technology in teaching and learning, student support, as well as all business processes.
She also stated that the theme speaks to the expectations of the 4th industrial revolution, which is without a doubt now a reality, where organizations are challenged to leverage technology in their business operations.
“It is therefore appropriate that Universities and other educational institutions have found themselves with no choice but to adopt e-Education in order to ensure minimal disruption of learning during this time of Covid19. To indicate our commitment to facilitating learning, in-line with the theme of today’s celebrations, Mascom partnered with BOU to provide zero based access to the University sites for all BOU learners during the Public State of Emergency,” she added.
Makhwade-Seboni urged the graduates to use the acquired knowledge and skills to impact positively on their families and communities
For his part, BOU Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Frank Youngman said COVID-19 pandemic has presented the university with opportunities to explore other cost effective and efficient ways of conducting business.
He said BOU has been identified by government to at the forefront of e-Education in the country. “It is for this reason that we were tasked with developing (in collaborative consultation) a National eEducation Policy Framework, as well as its implementation. In the spirit of the African proverb regarding the merits of walking together in order to go far, BOU thus calls for the input of all the players in the space of e-Education,” said Youngman.
He also added that in an endeavour to ensure systematic utilization of technology at institutional level, BOU has institutionalized all its policies, processes and procedures relative to on-line teaching and learning with the ultimate aim of leveraging technology for meaningful benefit by students.
Professor Youngman also indicated that BOU is further embarking on a Transformation Programme that will see reviewed organizational structures, revamped processes, and improved systems in support of its mandate as an open university.
A total of 659 students graduated from 15 academic programmes on the day, bringing the university’s overall graduates number for 2020/21 to 2349 against a target of 1630. 1690 students had graduated on November 7, 2020.