PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE CONFIDENT DRIVE BOTSWANA TOWARDS KNOWLEDGE

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education and Skills Development has expressed confidence that the University of Botswana has potential and capacity to help Botswana transform into a knowledge- based economy.

Chairperson of the committee, Hon. Wynter Mmolotsi, made the sentiments on behalf of the committee at the University of Botswana on July 28, 2021. The University hosted the Parliamentary Committee for a familiarization tour of its research and training facilities. The delegation comprised Members of Parliament, Hon. Kainagura Hikuama of Ngami, Hon Oabile Regoeng of Molepolole North and Hon Sam J. Brooks of Kgalagadi South.

Following the tour, Hon Mmolotsi applauded the University for discovering its potential and undertaking to assist the country to transform into a knowledge- based economy.

He said given the devastating impact of COVID- 19 and consequently the urgency to transform Botswana into a knowledge- based economy, the University of Botswana should play a strategic role to help revitalize the economic.

Hon. Mmolotsi said their visit to the University of Botswana was an eyeopener. He said the Parliamentary Committee learnt a lot and was impressed by what they saw. As such, they felt confident that UB graduates were market ready and possessed the entrepreneurial edge to drive Botswana’s transformation agenda towards a knowledge economy.

Earlier on, Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, had informed the MPs that UB was going through a transitional period towards becoming a researchintensive institution of higher learning.

Professor Norris said as a national asset, UB was obliged to play a pivotal role in Botswana’s transformational agenda from a resource- based to a knowledgebased economy. Underpinning such transformation, observed Professor Norris, was the need for UB to turn its research into tangible products and services that could be commercialized to generate revenue for the country.

Professor Norris observed that some multi- national companies were hatched in universities, and have made significant contributions towards development of their countries through research that yielded solution to societal problems.

He added that in the long run, such companies managed to generate millions for their respective countries. “As an Institution we have the ability and capability to do the same for this country. The major thing is to reinvent ourselves as a university, become a university that fosters competitiveness and is research based,” said the Vice Chancellor.