Africa-Press – Botswana. Through innovation, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Recourses (BUAN) has potential for self-sustenance, create jobs and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
This was said by Minister of Higher Education, Mr Prince Maele during a visit to BUAN in Sebele recently. He cited that BUAN had potential to attract FDI through its agricultural produce.
He said commodifying research and innovation could also help generate finances, urging BUAN to tap into the recently launched Botswana satellite, BOTSAT-1 for such purpose. He further said for government to achieve its mandate, BUAN needed to be innovative and create employment opportunities especially for the unemployed youth.
As such, he called for a curriculum tailored to produce graduate entrepreneurs ready for self-employment rather than employees as the market was already saturated.
“Let us set the path for a self-funding university. You have land here and the skill. Above all, you have government support which I see as sustainable,” he said.
In addition, he said there was a need to fast-track economic diversification efforts to prop up the national economic performance impacted by the bleak future of the diamond market.
He furthermore challenged the university to come up with revenue streams for funding rather than to rely on government subventions. He said State-Owned Enterprises must provide justification for government funding.
“You must earn your keep. Tell me what you are doing that I can really write home about so that when I request for subvention I would know where the funding goes,” he said.
The Minister said collaborations and partnerships were important, citing that the student exchange programme was a testament already bearing results.
He said industry relevant skills were also important as BUAN skills would benefit farmers as their involvement would be relevant in curriculum development.
He also said boosting employee morale could not only be about money, but also recognition was important. He said issues of staff welfare must be addressed promptly.
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