News

Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Mr Thulagano Merafe Segokgo, has challenged University of Botswana (UB) Industrial Design and Technology students to tackle pollution and waste management issues at landfills.

Speaking at the UB Department of Industrial Design and Technology Degree Show held at the UB Conference Centre recently, Mr Segokgo lamented the growing challenge of managing landfills and the potential for business opportunities in converting waste into products. He underscored the importance of promoting circular resource usage and encouraged students to use innovative ideas to create jobs rather than seek them. In addition, he urged students to take advantage of the Government’s diamond beneficiation initiative.

UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, commended Industrial Design and Technology students for their creativity and innovation. Professor Norris explained that UB had talented students capable of making significant contributions to transforming the country’s economy.

He noted that economies thrived on innovation, making it essential to leverage student talent. He also pointed out that the University’s new strategic direction focused on enhancing the research and innovation value chain.

UB’s Innovation Centre is actively engaged and open to the community, with innovative products ready for mass production. To that end, Professor Norris stressed the importance of building a viable ecosystem to drive innovation while commending the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology for investing over a billion pula to support research and innovation. He appealed for additional funds to develop infrastructure to support research.

Ms Sethunya Molosiwa from Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) noted that the Government’s mindset change campaign encouraged integration of concepts such as design thinking into traditionally mind-design professions. Ms Molosiwa advocated for promotion of such an approach in public institutions given that it fostered new ways of thinking and problem-solving, essential for achieving sustainable development goals.

She emphasised that harnessing the power of design required collaboration between designers, public service and business. She observed that integrating design thinking with economic diversification was crucial for sustainability and driving the economic diversification agenda.