Botswana Freedom of Information Partly Free- Afrobarometer

 

 

 

The University of Botswana Department of Political Science and Administration Studies, and Afrobarometer Investigator Professor Mpho Molomo presenting on survey results.

The University of Botswana Department of Political Science and Administration Studies, and Afrobarometer Investigator Professor Mpho Molomo said Batswana strongly support the public right to access to information held by public authorities at all levels.

Professor Molomo revealed during presentation of Afrobarometer 2017 Survey results on November 21, 2017 at University of Botswana Library Auditorium. He said results from the study also suggest that two thirds Batswana disagree with the idea information held by public authorities is only for use by government officials and should be shared with the public. Professor Molomo also explained that freedom of information is very crucial to citizens because is a cornerstone of liberal democratic frame work.

“It is a prerequisite for an informed citizenry capable of holding its government accountable because the individuals will be able to participate effectively in decision making and access the performance of their government. People can have information which enable them debate, question and judge individuals decision which strengthen accountability of public bodies to the individuals” said Professor Molomo.

Professor Molomo also revealed that a democratic society requires a free flow of information and ideas, whether between citizens in private communication or in public discourse involving civil society and political parties which he viewed as challenged to Botswana.

“In Botswana the constitution provides for free speech and a free press, efforts to legally protect citizens rights to privacy in communication (such as mobile phones) and to obtain information held by public authorities have not advanced” said professor Molomo.

He also revealed that there have been some cases of some journalists been harassment and intimidated. Revealing more results of the survey Professor Molomo also said majority of Batswana endorsed freedom of information in the media right to publish without government interference. He added that media is play very important role in democracy by keeping the citizens knowledgeable and holding government accountable by combating corruption.

“The results on the study indicates that even media two thirds of Batswana strongly agree that media should have the right to publish any views or ideas without  government censorship”|said Professor Molomo.

He also noted that the latest survey shows majority of Batswana also endorse individual right to private communication without government monitoring and many seeing growing in freedom for opposition political parties and civil society.

He concluded that Batswana have suffered attacks on media freedom and has so far failed to legally protect citizen right to privacy in communication and access to government information survey finding suggest that Batswana endorsed these freedoms as well as free media as essential to an informed citizenry and an accountable government.

On the other hand UB Department Political and Administration Studies and Afrobarometer Investigator Professor Mogopodi Lekome urged Professor Mokomo and colleagues to encourage malty disciplinary of the data for the public to have a better understanding of the information. He also argued that local media dwell too much negative publication rather than positive issues which leads to loss of confidence on the government by the people.

In responding to his augment University of Botswana Department of Statistics and member of Afrobarometer Professor Zibani Maundeni and Professor Molomo shared the same response by saying the study meant for every Motswana to hear their views and opinions not a selective group of people to avoid biasness. In addition to that Professor Molomo responded back by saying the study is also disaggregated in gender, age education, location and others to have a better understanding of Botswana views and opinion across the country.

UB, UNIVERSITY OF MACHESTER SHARE NOTES ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



Professor Bolaane and Professor Mativenga.

In a development akin to that of University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, the University of Botswana has also embarked on some initiatives to drive its strategic priority area of strengthening engagement with its stakeholders.

According to the 2008 University of Botswana Strategic Plan, engagement occurs when the university makes a full contribution to the social, economic, civic and cultural aspects of life in the society it serves through professional activities of its academics and institutional.

Similarly, Social Responsibility is one of University of Manchester’s three core strategic goals in the Manchester 2020 Strategy, sitting equally alongside commitments to world-class research and outstanding learning and student experience.

It was against this background that the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Professor Benjamin Bolaane told attendants of a public lecture on October 16, 2017 that UB was engaged in a number of initiatives and activities to make a difference in the society it served.

The public lecture was on Social Responsibility and Impact: Are Universities making a Difference?  The guest speaker was Professor Paul Mativenga from the University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering who made a presentation on innovative ways universities could use to improve the social and environmental wellbeing of their communities and wider society through teaching, research, public events and activities.

Giving an overview of the impact of the University of Manchester’s social responsibility programme, Professor Mativenga said  the university emphasised on making a difference to the social and environmental well-being of communities through teaching (and socially responsible graduates), research with impact and public events and activities.

He said the University of Manchester engaged with communities through research. He said they generated business ideas and solutions as per research outcomes besides promoting environmental sustainability through cultural exchanges despite such being a major challenge.

He observed that promoting environmental sustainability the University of Manchester focused on addressing inequalities and improving lives in the city and greater region of Manchester. Further, such was achieved through quality diversification and procurement process to protect the good image of the university. 

The Manchester don also reckoned that the university also encouraged students to volunteer in community projects hence a plan to develop a programme through which everyone would graduate within access of a social responsibility agenda. Professor Mativenga also stated that staff members served as school governors to help in developing leadership and improving the state of schools.

The university also engaged the community through cultural expos and some individuals low skills jobs around the university as well as scholarships, he added.

Likewise, Professor Bolaane said despite the challenges UB faced, there were a number of initiatives geared towards driving its strategic priority area of engagement with Batswana part of which was through volunteering services to communities particularly in areas of architecture, urban planning, and the construction industry.

Other contributions that UB made towards major community projects that Professor Bolaane mentioned included providing architectural engineering towards construction of a rehabilitation centre for children living with cancer, solar energy plant and a morula nut cracker for the Thamaga community.

The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Professor David Sebudubudu, said UB’s engagement initiatives also entailed UB Foundation sponsorships for graduate students while academics also volunteered their services to various organisations especially in the area of research.

Community Engagement in Health and Socio Economic Developments- Kgosi Maruje III

Given the relevant tools and means, Magosi who are increasingly young and educated can become powerful influence and strategic pillars for mobilizing communities to become engines of health as aspect of socio-economic developments in Botswana, revelled Kgosi Maruje lll Thabo Masunga of Masunga.

In delivering his research paper titled: “Mobilising Communities to become engines of health as an aspect of socio-economic developments,” during a public lecture  at University of Botswana Conference Centre on September 21^st 2017 which was organised by the University of Botswana, World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Wellness. Kgosi Maruje explained that Communities and especially Magosi can however influence health through constructive engagement in conversations, activities, policy formulation and many other ways that can mediate circumstances and determinants of health.

“Many health issues interface with cultural norms, principles, behaviours and practices. They also interface with conditions and circumstances, in which people are born, live, grow and die. Levels of income and education, availability and accessibility of goods and services for instance can influence health” said Kgosi Maruje.

He also argued that Magosi as custodian of culture can influence cultural norms that cause bodily harm such as child marriages resulting in early sexual debut and pregnancy, or those that promote unhealthy habits such tobacco use, too much alcohol, fat and salt and many others. He said they can be stopped or at least reduced by societal pressure or communal efforts influence by Magosi since they have the powers to influence policy and direct leeway to other leadership structures. “Magosi remain strong advocates for community developments” said Kgosi Maruje.

He also explained that the biggest challenge they face in modern days as Magosi is remaining relevant in the face of rapidly changing cultural norms and population dynamics. “60 percent of population of Botswana is young and not as attached or amenable to Bogosi as generation that come before them” said Kgosi Maruje. The Kgotla is much less appealing to this cohort, which challenge them to find ways of becoming relevant to them.

Kgosi Maruje also explained that the advancement of technology such as social media also contribute to lack of communication within sub-community which presents serious challenge for mean fully conversation about community developments. He said social media presents a revolutionary and effective communication which he believes can be turned in to opportunity that can be harnessed to involve young people in community development. “It can be skilfully used to re-introduce cultural values and sense of community to a generation that seems to have largely disconnected” said Kgosi Maruje.

He also argued that Magosi should be provided with job training on this technological advancement to help them keep pace with contemporary conversations with increasingly young and sophisticated population and developments in order to influence policy and norms from a position of strength.

IPADA Affords SADC Universities a Golden Opportunity in Exchanging Knowledge

The International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternative (IPADA) conference affords SADC Universities a golden opportunity to share beliefs, aides and recommendation with international community, said Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Kgomotso Moahi.

Speaking during the 2^nd Annual International Conference, Gala Dinner on July 27, 2017 held at Tloto Hotel and Conference Centre in Gaborone from the 26 to 28 July 2017, Professor Moahi said as Universities they are expected to create a stimulating intellectual environment for students and demonstrate the impact of their research work on the lives of citizens. She further edged the participants to conduct their research works truthfully and expand the frontier of knowledge objectively and ethically without fear or favour and share their research finding with all members of the society.

The conference was organised by School of Economics and Management at the University of Limpopo (SA) in corporation with UB Faculty of Social Sciences, held under the theme ‘’Independence of African State in the Age of Globalization’’ which was broken down into numerous sub themes of research works of participating Universities from South Africa on issues pertaining to African States. The conference attracted Lecturers and Master Students from different Universities of South Africa such Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), University of Venda (UNIVEN), North West University (NWU), Vaal University of Technology (VUT) University of Mpumalanga (UMP) and University of Limpopo. The sole purpose is to create international collaboration in with Universities across the Africa in generating, disseminating and exchanging knowledge and to produce quality scholarly work through peer review process.

Giving a key note address Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Honourable Eric Mothibi Molale stated that bringing African think tanks, academic and industry profession together in a conference of this nature will help to reflect deeply on the issues facing African States in an international order. He also said participants will benefit by learning from one another and do a cross pollination of ideas from the world of work (practice) and the world of academics (theory) with a view of narrowing the gap between the two. ‘’Let theory inform and guide practice and vice versa’’ said Honourable Molale  

IPADA and Conference Chairman, Professor Mokoko Sebola said UB and other African Universities are viewed as the first step towards making Africa contribute to global knowledge production. He also said statistically it is argued that Africa contribute a very small fraction of knowledge production in the globe with figure agued to be either 1,25% or 1,8% in which South Africa and Egypt share the biggest fraction of knowledge production because of their huge investment in research and innovation.

University of Botswana Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Keoagile Thaga closed The Gala Dinner by appreciating participants and guest in attending the conference and for making a meaningful contribution to the complex issues they are trying to unpack.

Honorable David Magang Appeals Government and Private Sector to Promote History

 

Honorable David Magang appeal to the government and stalwarts of indigenous Botswana enterprise to join the bandwagon and help bring about an explosion of historical chronicling in the country from across the board through avail funds for Researchers.

 

He also said such a seismic shift in their view of history would certainly make our beloved founding President Sir Seretse Khama smile in his grave in that the ensuing cornucopia of historical literature would reverse the stigma so that they we’re no longer “a people without a past and a people without a soul but a people with an amply illustrated past and a people with a soul or substance” said Mr Magang during a public lecture held under the theme “A Nation without a Past is a lost Nation-Sir Seretse Khama’s Vision of Botswana’s Development” held at University of Botswana Conference Center on August 17, 2017.

 

“Contrast with South Africa, where the private sector is typically the prime mover in initiating literary projects from which they do not even directly benefit most book projects of a biographical nature in South Africa are bankrolled by the private sector long before they arrive on the desk of the publisher” said Mr Magang. He further said their own, home-grown  pillars of the private sector should emulate their counterpart across the Limpopo, who even when based here in Botswana and making money from Batswana continue to support book propositions in their home country whilst giving  theirs a cold shoulder.

 

Mr Magang also advised University of Botswana authorities, to name their buildings and other constituent facilities officially known by numbers instead of being named after national heroes who contributed either directly or indirectly to the independent of Botswana such as David Livistone, Charles Willoughb, Anthony Silly and Peter Focus. He also commended the recent re-naming of the hospital at the UB after the recently departed Sir Ketumile Masire which he regard as a signal on the part of the university authorities intent on making amends in this regard.

Throughout history, there have been both great feats of success and horrific failures and studying history will helps avoid the pitfalls of yo   re and build on our accomplishments, said Mr Magang.

 

The lecture, was hosted by UB, through the Department of History, draw on Botswana’s founding President, Sir Seretse Khama’s appeal for Africans to break-away from the shackles of mental oppression, and become masters of their own destiny by writing their own history. It also interrogate the famous speech, and how it was subsequently misread or misunderstood, in order to be able to explain Sir Seretse Khama’s vision of Botswana’s development with the country’s history as a cardinal aspect of nation-building.

 UB bestowed Great Supporter Award

The Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE) has bestowed the University of Botswana through the Faculty of Engineering and Technology the “Great Supporter of the Ministry Award”.

The award was bestowed by the Minister, Advocate Sadique Kebonang, on March 3, 2017 in recognition of the University’s support of the ministry in developing the mineral policy.

In addition, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology walked away with two prizes, that of the 2016/17 Service Performance Award from the Minerals Affairs Division (within the Ministry) and the 2017 MMGE Excellence Award.

 

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Professor Ben Bolaane, said in an interview that UB had been collaborating with the ministry for the past seven years. Professor Bolaane said the collaboration was on voluntary basis as part of the Faculty’s requirement to engage the industry to provide services to the community.

 

Regarding the Faculty’s contribution to the mineral policy development, which consequently earned UB appreciation, the dean said two years ago the ministry requested the University to participate in a sub-committee that was developing the Mineral Policy of Botswana.

 

“As a result we seconded two experts from the Faculty - Mining Engineering Senior Lecturer, Dr. Ignatius Buang Matshediso and Mineral Engineering Lecturer, Dr. Khaulani Fichani - to serve in the committee,” said Professor Bolaane.

 

He also highlighted that the two experts were not only academics, but that they had worked for several years in different capacities for the private sector in the mining area. Therefore, he said their vast experience in the area became handy in the development of the mineral policy. “It is their input that made us proud as the Faculty and UB as whole,” said Professor Bolaane.

The Trans-Kalahari Corridor is not just a tarred road that connects Botswana to Namibia but a gold mine of economic opportunities waiting to be exploited. This was the common view of speakers who took part in a public lecture at the University of Botswana Conference Centre organised in collaboration with Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC) Secretariat on April 25, 2017. 

Presenters from the TKC Secretariat, NAMPORT, Walvis Bay Port, and Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) spoke to the theme Trans-Kalahari Corridor: Unlocking Trade Opportunities between Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

TKC Executive Director, Mr Leslie Mpofu, said communities along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor have ample economic opportunities that they could take advantage of in the small and medium businesses sector such as lodges, ablution facilities and fuelling points for truck drivers.

In addition, they could open restaurants besides providing entertainment services, security for cargo, parking as well as maintenance garages. Mr Mpofu said the envisaged businesses were an opportunity for steady income that could in turn improve the effectiveness and reliability of the corridor.

“We are also establishing mobile wellness centres which will not only benefit truck drivers but communities along the corridor who cannot easily access clinics and hospitals. As member states of the TKC, we are also in the process of establishing a strategic alliance to assist in disaster management in terms rehabilitating the environment in the event of spillages of dangerous goods such as fuel,” said Mr Mpofu.

He also added that truck stops along the corridor were not only meant to benefit truck drivers, but the intention was also to try and transform them into economic zones. Regional Corridor Strategy Director from the Department of Transport in South Africa, Mr Segodi Mogotsi, also shared the similar sentiments, and encouraged communities to utilise government funding streams to unlock opportunities along the route.

As part of his keynote address BURS Customs General Manager, Mr Buhalo Mudongo, said that BURS was introducing a new custom management system to facilitate smooth trade between Botswana and other countries. The system was aimed at facilitating the collection and accounting of tax. Mr Mudongo said the new development also included a National Single Window to enhance efficiency of customs, improved security and shorten time for goods clearance.

He also said they were introducing a cannon unit with the objective of enhancing security at points of entry to control inward and outward of goods. Furthermore, Mr Mudongo said negotiations were ongoing between Botswana and Namibia to establish a one-stop boarder post as well as IT connectivity. The IT connectivity will help in the exchange of data between Botswana and Namibia with a view of minimising risks and ensuring data accuracy with the principle of, “Your Export is Mine”, said Mr Mudongo.

Marketing and Business Development Specialist from the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, Mr Zunaid Pochee, also encouraged Batswana to make use of opportunities along the corridor. He thanked the panellists, the UB community, as well as the public for making the public lecture a success.

 

Ugandan academic charged over Museveni 'buttocks' jibe

Dr. Stella Nyanzi is charged with disturbing the peace, privacy of President Yoweri Museveni by referring to him as a 'pair of buttocks'.

The prosecution argued that the former Makerere University done be "placed under treatment" as per the provisions of the country's Mental Treatment Act.

State argued: "During her detention at Kira Police, officers keenly observed that her conduct and behaviour had periodic erratic episodes and other related unusual behaviour, characterised by gross indecent utterances."

Prosecutors stated: "No sane person of her stature can exhibit such behaviour. [We] deeply believe that the suspect may be a person of unsound mind. [She should be] placed under treatment as per provisions of mental treatment act."

Buganda Road Court remanded Dr. Stella Nyanzi to Luzira Prison until April 25. 

ALJEZEERA

PROFESSOR YANEV RESEARCH GENERATES GLOBAL INTEREST

A journal article titled Design and Analysis of a Robust Accurate Control System by Applying a Digital Compensator and published by a Control and Instrumentation Engineering Associate Professor from the Department Electrical Engineering at the University of Botswana (UB) in 2016 continues to elicit huge global interest.

Professor Kamen Yanev published his article in a high profile USA journal of Automatic Control and System Engineering in 2016 with an ISI Impact Factor of 1.632.

As a result of publication, Professor Yanev was elected a Gold Member of the Academic Community of International Congress for Global Science and Technology (ICGST), USA in 2016. Since then, the number of researchers visiting the Gold Member page for the article has been rising steadily. In the process, this will have a positive impact on the University of Botswana’s international profile.

The research article presents a strategy for analysis and design of a digital robust control system for accurate speed control of a DC motor. Thus, the case presented in the research demonstrates a control system that regulates the speed of an electrical DC motor.

Speaking at a public seminar at UB Conference Centre on March 30, 2017, Professor Yanev said there were three new suggested methods in the article: detection of the motor’s speed, determining control system stability and robust control design. “The methods are recognised internationally as innovations, contributing to control theory and beneficial for the practical implementation,” said Professor Yanev.

The research paper is a culmination of a continuing research that started in 2006. So far, the research has resulted in 24 publications, of which 16 are international journal publications while the rest are international conference papers and presentations. The research has been published in the USA, Italy, Germany, Canada, Botswana and India.

“One of the contributions of this research is the innovative solution of the incorporation of a DC motor into a Wheatstone bridge that operates as a Wheatstone Speed-to-Voltage Converter (WSVC),” said Professor Yanev.

He also explained that another contribution was in the advancement of the D-Partitioning method as a stability analysis tool in the application for digital robust nonlinear control systems. In this instance, Professor Yanev expanded the initial ideas of Neimark to a Method of Advanced D-Partitioning as a stability analysis tool.

“The principle of the Advanced D-Partitioning analysis, is recognised internationally as an innovation contributing to control theory and is useful for application in real life control systems. It contributes to knowledge, since it is the only method of stability analysis that illustrates graphically the images of regions of stability and instability and can be applied to linear, digital or non-linear control systems,” added Professor Yanev.

He also said the third major contribution of the research was the suggested strategy for design of an optimal robust controller. Professor Yanev said the system could become robust, or independent of parameter variations, if a digital robust controller, based on microcontrollers was implemented. Professor Yanev also suggests a number of unique successive steps for design of optimal digital robust controller.

He observed that the effect and contribution of his research was enormous given the application of DC motors was still irreplaceable for elevators, cranes, air compressors, vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, drills, remote gates operation and electric trains, where constant speed at high and a variable torque was essential.  

Education Minister underscores communication between management and students

The Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Alfred Madigele, has underscored the importance of communication in conflict resolution following days of student disturbances that led to a decision by the Chairman of the University of Botswana Council  to temporarily close the University from the 9 February, 2017 to the 5 March, 2017 with the view to bring stability and protect property.

The Minister said this after he went around campus on the 10^th February 2017 to assess the situation after students went on rampage destroying institutional property and posing a security risk to members of staff and the public. Areas affected included the bookstore, restaurants and other property. Key to the students complaints was late payment of living allowances and prices at the campus bookstore.

The Chairman of the University Council acting in terms of Sections 10(2)(d) and 12(6) of the University of Botswana Act (Cap. 57:01) took a decision to declare the situation an emergency necessitating the closure of the University to avert further and irreparable damage to property and possible injury to persons. In addition, the decision was taken in order “to [bring] the …crisis and instability under control,” said a statement from the chairman, Mr Parks Tafa.

Dr Madigele, welcomed the decision to close the University. He said it was necessary for all stakeholders in the education sector to engage each other from time to time on issues of mutual interest and to communicate information on time. He further implored tertiary intitutions to educate and appraise students on payment processes to avoid misunderstandings that might lead to conflict.

The Minister said following the student demonstrations, his Ministry would now engage all relevant stakeholders and tertiary institutions through their management and Student Representative Councils to relay important information to students which he regretted was sometimes withheld by officials. 

UB signs MoU on finacial sector stakeholder training

The University of Botswana (UB) and Botswana Institute of Bankers (BIOB) signed a memorandum of understanding with Frankfurt School of Finance and Management on March 16, 2017. The overall purpose of the collaboration is to establish a multiplier mechanism to institutionalise and assure training and capacity building measures are provided on continuous basis to financial sector professionals.

This comes after the Frankfurt School together with UB and BIOB assessed the potential for collaboration in offering new certificate programmes in areas such as Small and Medium Entrepreneurship, Finance and Banking for newcomers, beginners and professionals of micro-finance and financial institutions. Other areas include business development for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs interested in developing their professional career skills.

 

The Deputy Dean of the UB Faculty of Business, Professor Motsumi Ndala Marobela, BIOB Executive Director, Mrs Lydia Sejo Andries, and the Frankfurt School Team Leader, Mr Rainer Fitz, signed the MoU on behalf of their institutions. Speaking thereafter, Professor Marobela thanked Mr Fitz for having identified UB and BIOB as institutions to collaborate with in leading Financial Stakeholder Training in southern Africa.

 

Professor Marobela said such would lead to the strengthening of the relationship between Botswana and Germany after the recent collaboration between the two countries in tourism.

Mr Rainer Fitz said the first round of training would be offered for free to bankers and relevant financial institutions, hence heads of institutions would have the possibility to send two persons. Thereafter, he said there would be fees at an acceptable local market price so that it becomes a sustainable business.

 

Regarding the time frame, Mrs Andries advised that the accreditation process should be taken in account since it had a huge impact on the action plan and delivery of the programmes afterwards. She added that they should also understand materials for the programmes and link such to local context to bring on board local businesses.

UB houses first Paediatric Cancer Centre in Sub-Saharan Africa

The University of Botswana will house the first ever children’s cancer and haematology centre in Sub-Saharan Africa. President Lt. Gen Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama announced when he launched construction of the Centre at a ground-breaking ceremony held at the University of Botswana Academic Teaching Hospital on February 21, 2017. 

 

The Centre, which will be known as the Botswana Baylor Paediatric Cancer and Haematology Centre of Excellence, is a collaboration between the Government of Botswana, Baylor Centre of Excellence Trust, Baylor College of Medicine International Paediatric AIDS Initiative, Texas Children’s Hospital and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation.

 

“It is without doubt that the Centre, which will be constructed on this very ground, will make Gaborone both a national and regional hub for paediatric oncology, training, research and care, using the Centre of Excellence model that we have come to know so well,” said President Khama.

 

He said the project represented a critical expansion of the country’s health service delivery and a welcome development to the region as well. “Our young doctors, scientists and other health professionals will be trained and capacitated in a state of the art facility by skilled staff,” he added.

 

President Khama reckoned that the Centre was poised to be a high point of the country’s health agenda as the country moved into the next decade of development. In addition, he said the Centre must be seen as an excellent example of an all-encompassing approach to managing cancer and haematology in children. That, noted the President, would be done with the best available evidence in clinical care and top notch expertise in an environment that engendered compassion, humaneness, empathy and respect for the delicate lives the Centre’s staff would be handling.

 

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Mr Emmanuel Blin, said the initiative to construct an oncology centre and to train staff was the beginning of the largest and most comprehensive oncology network to treat paediatric cancer in southern and eastern Africa. The initiative, he said, was more urgent to avert the loss of an estimated 90 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer in southern and eastern Africa. “This is not acceptable but beginning today this will change,” he observed.

 

As such, Mr Blin said while awaiting construction of the oncology centre, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation would commit US$50 million over the next five years to train oncologists. He said the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital would contribute another US$50 million as well.

Exchange Students drilled on Basics of studying Abroad

The University of Botswana Office of International Education and Partnerships (OIEP) in collaboration with Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) on December 2, 2016 drilled 10 UB study exchange programme students on the basics of studying abroad. The students will be abroad for the spring semester (January to May 2017) and were selected from various disciplines based on their academic performance. They will be studying in different universities in the United States of America. At the end of their study, the students are expected to have broadened their academic horizons and gained experience of different cultures and learning environments. OIEP Study Abroad Coordinator, Ms Buzwani Charity Mocheregwa, said the students were selected on merit, all having attained a GPA above 4.5. Ms Mocheregwa advised the students to maintain the same academic record because they were not only representing themselves but UB and Botswana as a whole. She also explained that the study abroad programme was a full scholarship from OIEP and the Botswana Government. The students, said Mocheregwa, would receive US$500 book allowance and a monthly US$400 living allowance for the duration of their stay. “You are not going to spend anything for your going abroad. All the expenses will be handled by OIEP. That means your tuition, housing, meals, air tickets, living allowance and medical insurance,” she said. OIEP Deputy Director, Ms Kaboyaone Hiri-Khudu, congratulated the students for having been selected for the programme and reminded them that they were going out there to represent UB and Botswana. Therefore, she impressed upon them to be in their best behaviour as well as to market Botswana well. Ms Hiri-Khudu also encouraged the students to take their traditional attire with them, and anything that could sell Botswana and UB in case they were asked to showcase their cultures. “Always remember where you come from and see to it that you earn a good name fairly,” said OIEP Acting Director, Dr Gangappa Kuruba. He advised the students to interact with peer groups and network with other people for it would also be rewarding academically. However, he reminded them to authentically represent Botswana culture and heritage in whatever they would be doing. BITC Brand Botswana Manager, Mr Thuso Palai, said the aim of Brand Botswana was to galvanise Batswana around a single identity. Mr Palai said it was also to stimulate stronger communities, culture and heritage to instil a greater sense of pride and community engagement in the country, as well as to position Botswana internationally as an attractive place to visit, work and invest. Consequently, he advised the students to tell a positive story of their country to the world, and lure people to come to Botswana because they had a responsibility to achieve such through whatever they would communicate which reflected their place of origin. “We have been working with the Embassy of United State of America, the British High Commission, and UB included, for the past two years because they have a lot of exchange programmes and you are the ones who will be our marketing agents to promote our country so that people get to know about us and to come and invest in our country,” he said.

UB unveils experimental Biodiesel Vehicle

The University of Botswana took its research programme to loftier heights when it launched an experimental vehicle that uses biodiesel fuel on November 14, 2016. The vehicle uses blended fuel (B10) which is 90 per cent petroleum diesel (50PPM) and 10 per cent biodiesel produced by University of Botswana researchers. The launch was a sequel to a feasibility study on the production and use of biofuels in Botswana carried out in 2007. According to Professor Baleseng Moseki of the Faculty of Science, the aim of the research project was in part to produce biodiesel fuel from Jatropha. The study indicated potential in producing and using biodiesel in the country and further highlighted Jatropha as the most promising feedstock for biodiesel. Consequently, in 2010, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security carried out a social impact study to investigate the possible effects of Jatropha farming on local farmers. Thereafter, the ministry through the UB Office of Research and Development and Department of Agricultural Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, set in motion a five-year research project in 2012 for future extension of knowledge and establishment of a nationwide biofuels industry in the country, especially biodiesel production from Jatropha. The research project, entitled Research on the Information Based Optimization of Jatropha Biomass Energy Production in the Frost and Drought Prone Regions of Botswana, is expected to come out with ways of establishing technology for Jatropha cultivation, variety selection and biofuel production. It is co-funded by the Government of Botswana and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Launching the experimental vehicle, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Martin Mokgwathi, said the vehicle was one of the key milestones of the research project. Professor Mokgwathi said it was also testimony that UB was Botswana’s premier research institution especially that its research projects were bearing fruit and beginning to benefit society. Dr Clever Ketlogetswe from UB’s Department of Mechanical Engineering observed that research on biofuel was aimed at demonstrating a positive development towards cleaner fuel. Thus the experimental vehicle produces relatively low pollutants, particularly carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. Therefore, if blended fuel was used on a large scale in the transport sector it would result in huge reduction in Botswana’s carbon print, said Dr Ketlogetswe. “We have performed several laboratory tests to assess the quality of the biodiesel produced by the UB research team. All the tests were performed according to international standards, and we are satisfied with our results. We then took a decision to perform road tests,’’ said Dr Ketlogetswe. Dr Ketlogetswe noted that they decided to use a Toyota vehicle because of its relatively huge market share, and that on road tests it would achieve their expectations with the results expected to stimulate development of appropriate policy and guidelines on the use of blended fuel in the country. Should the findings not reveal any defects, the research team will increase the percentage of biofuel from 10 to 15 per cent while continuing with investigations. He also stated that the research team was expanding investigations to include other biodiesel feedstock, including the use of beef tallow to produce biodiesel. “We believe that the use of beef tallow could stimulate rapid development of biodiesel fuel in Botswana and it has relatively high yield as compared to plant oil. The yield is approximately 93 per cent compared to between 40 to 60 per cent of Jatropha oil plant,” said Dr Ketlogetswe. Meanwhile, Dr ketlogetswe said production of biodiesel fuel on a larger scale in Botswana could have a direct bearing on employment creation and poverty reduction, particularly in rural communities where small scale farmers could benefit from cultivating and selling of Jatropha seeds for biodiesel production. The Department of Energy chief energy officer, Mr Kentsenao Molosiwa, acknowledged that the 2007 feasibility study to assess the potential for production and use of liquid biofuels in the transport sector indicated the possibility of producing feedstock for biodiesel and sorghum for ethanol production. Mr Molosiwa further stated that a 2010 social impact study to investigate the possible effects of Jatropha farming on local farmers also indicated that Batswana were knowledgeable in the cultivation and use of Jatropha for biodiesel production. Hence, the Jatropha research project’s five outputs are cultivation, breeding, post-harvest processing, non-oil biomass utilization and environmental, social and economic evaluation,’’ said Mr Molosiwa.