Africa-Press – Botswana. Liswaani Junior Secondary School learners in Kachikau have been encouraged to pursue wildlife and environmental science related careers.
Speaking at Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) national science week at Kachikau on Saturday, the Director of the Okavango Research Institute Professor Joseph Mbaiwa urged the students to have curious minds that would develop solutions to the human-wildlife conflict in future.
He said due to their proximity and experience of co-existing with wildlife, Liswaani learners were penned to become the greatest wildlife and environmental scientists.
Prof. Mbaiwa said this year’s theme: An Enquiring Mind: a Gateway to Creativity and Innovation, stimulated the desire to learn and willingness to explore beyond the obvious in young people.
He commended BVI for their achievements over four decades providing sustainable animal solutions not just in Botswana but SADC region.
The director pointed out that Northern Botswana was vastly populated with wildlife including buffaloes that were carriers of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) which had rendered Chobe a red zone for exportation of beef to European market.
He said over the years, BVI had played a critical role in producing FMD vaccines for cattle in Botswana and the rest of SADC, adding that the institute continued to be actively involved in researches.
BVI Head of ICT, Mr Kgomotso Mantu said the satellite event was meant to inculcate science and research into the broader society and inspire learners to venture into science-related fields.
Mr Mantu said positioning Botswana towards a knowledge based and export led economy called for great minds like learners to choose careers that were Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related.
The STEM path, he said would ensure Botswana had many scientists and mathematicians who would device solutions that were specifically designed for Botswana.
He remarked that Chobe was a catchment area of BVI programme due to its FMD vaccine beneficiary, and noted it was important to teach leaners about science to stimulate their interest.
BVI further donated P10 000 cash to Liswaani junior and awarded students who excelled academically with laptops and iPad.
Form three overall best student and BVI essay competition winner, Mr Samuel Mukuwa thanked BVI for identifying their school for the science week.
Moreover, he thanked the institute for motivating learners with gadgets adding that the laptop he received would aid him in studying and research.
“Liswaani students promise to work hard and pursue the right path to produce best academic results,”he said.
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