BUAN meet with Ministry of Communication, Knowledge and Technology consultants.
21 Mar, 2023
On 21st March 2023 BUAN management consisting of Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Research, accompanied by Deans of faculties met with consultants from the Ministry of Communication, Knowledge and Technology. The purpose of the meeting was to find ways in which the Government of Botswana can merge, Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub (BIDH). The Government of Botswana has embarked on rationalisation of its State Owed Enterprises (SOEs) to make them more efficient in delivering public mandate. BUAN will assist the Ministry to craft modalities for a seamless merge. Other Research, Science and Innovation issues were also discussed that will help the consultants to make inform decision before giving the ministry their recommendations.
BUAN’S Agrovoltaic Project Launch
15 Mar, 2023
On the 15th March 2023, BUAN launched its first ever Agrovoltaic project and delegates from across the globe came to celebrate this milestone. Among the people present at the event was our Chancellor and guest speaker of launch, His Honor the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, who said that the project will go a long way towards achieving financial sustainability for BUAN. The Agrovoltaic project is where both land and solar energy are used for agricultural production. This will reduce BUAN’s reliance on Botswana Power corporation for electricity. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele said that through this initiative, BUAN will supply itself with electricity and sell excess power to Botswana Power Corporation. This project is a step towards the university’s mission which is to produce innovative graduates and technological solutions for sustainable development of agriculture and natural resources. The launch ended with delegates visiting the site to harvest vegetables planted underneath the solar panels.
Botswana National Research Excellence Awards
10 Mar, 2023
The National Research Excellence Awards are directed towards Botswana’s novel approaches for promoting research and efficient knowledge generation and management as a vital resource for national development. The awards are created as a means of recognition and an incentive to both individual researchers and research groups/teams for their impactful research for national development towards achievement of the knowledge society, and hence the knowledge economy. The objective of these awards is to recognize, reward research excellence towards sustainable research for a knowledge-based economy and to raise profile of research conducted in Botswana. Today we interviewed Dr Tefo Force Thema who is one of the awardees. In which category of awards did you win? Early Career Researcher: This is a category awarded to a distinguished individual academic or professional staff member who is actively involved in research and is within 10 years of their latest Graduate degree. In this category I got position one (1). How do you feel about your win? It is one of the most exciting times in my life and fulfilling moment in my career. Being recognized nationally for the hard work that I do with passion brings about self-realization and satisfaction to have significantly contribute to humankind. What was your research focus? The research focus was on innovating on new interventions and technologies that would address the global climate changes through green routes and paths. The reduction of emitted heavy metals that destroy the atmospheric ozone layer during the commercial production of energy during the extraction of energy from coal. These green approaches being simple and cheap. How will you research contribute to BUAN and Botswana at large? This research is very important as it puts BUAN in an excellent position as an important contributor to transform Botswana from its dependency on natural resources to knowledge based economy. BUAN’s mandate to significantly help the Botswana Government to diversify its economy on the fact that the Government is the sole shareholder hence BUAN must play a measurable role in addressing societal mishaps. What would you like to say to your colleagues regarding participating in research and such awards? Universities are naturally institutions where there must be imagination to extract relevant knowledge. Based on the above there has to be intensive cutting edge research which has significant impact on society and the environment. It is therefore very important to carry out research and report its findings. Participating in such research excellence awards platform is critical as this is where you sell and fly your institution BUAN would like to congratulate Dr Thema for his achievement.
University's Business Centres
CICE
Background The Centre for In-service and Continuing Education (CICE) is the outreach arm of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), the former Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA). It was opened in 1995 to extends BCA’s mandate through provision of quality in-service and continuing education in agriculture and natural resources. The CICE designs, develops and delivers training in Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) accredited courses that are market driven. The mode delivery for the courses includes lectures, practical work, demonstration, discussions and excursions with a 30:70 Theory to Practical proportions. The CICE operates with a team of highly qualified, experienced and dedicated staff of Botswana University of Agricultural and Natural Resources (BUAN) academic staff. Other expertise is sourced locally from the Ministry of Agriculture Development and Food Security, other ministries, parastatals, private organizations and international organizations, as and when necessary. Mission Statement The Centre for In-service and Continuing Education (CICE) is the outreach department of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources with responsibilities to: Promote, co-ordinate and deliver short-term courses in Agriculture and related fields; Produce, develop, publish and disseminate training, extension, information and other materials Promote and conduct pilot studies, projects, workshops and other outreach activities Promote linkages between agricultural research, extension services and training Liaise with different establishment CICE committees that direct, manage and advise in respect of the administration and activities of the Centre.
MITI
Ag Director : Dr Kerapetse Sehularo DAHP, BVMS, MVM History The Meat Industry Training Institute (MITI) was established in 1984 through an agreement between Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Rome (working in conjuction with the government of Denmark) and the government of Botswana. At that point it was called the Regional Training Centre for Meat Inspectors and Meat Technologists in Africa. In 1991, the FAO handed over running of the training institute to the govermentof Botswana and managed by the Department of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture. The institution was re-named Meat Inspection Training Centre (MITC). In order to enhance the academic profile of the institute so as to meet the demands of its main stakeholders, the Institute was taken-over by the Botswana College of Agriculture now Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources on the 01 st of April 2012. Since its establishment, over 1,900 participants from 45 African countries have undergone training at the Institute. MITI also recieved students from the European Union on internship programme in the area of Veterinary Public Health. MITI Strategic Intent MITI envisages becoming a Centre of Excellence for the meat industry in Africa. The Institute will focus on cutting edge research and training. The institute will interact with its stakeholders through provision of excellent service in the areas of accommodation, abattoir services, meat and meat related consultancies and events hosting . This is in line with BUAN vision-mission of vibrant world class university that produces market ready graduates for agricultural and natural sectors. Existing Programmes Certifcate in Meat Inspection: A six (6) months intensive programme with focus on food safety management system (HACCP) in particular meat and meat products, meat inspection, animal welfare, zoonosis, animal health and food safety legislation. Upcoming academic programmes: expected to be offered in academic year 2021 Diploma in Meat Inspection: (DMI) Diploma in Leather Products Manufacturing Technology: (DLPMT) Diploma in Meat Processing Technology: (DMPT) Short courses: expected to be offered in academic year 2020 Refresher course for meat Inspectors Meat Handlers Course Level 1 Meat Handlers Course Level 2 Meat Handlers Course Level 3 Meat Processing Course Level 1 Reaserch focus Food safety especially meat and meat products Meat science Animal welfare Animal health Legislation Contact details Postal Address: Meat industry Training Institute Private Bag 45 Lobatse Physical Address: Boswelatlou Plot 13725 Telephone number: +267 5330671 FAX: +267 5332259 Email:miti@buan.ac.bw
FARM
Objectives of the farm The first and major objective of the BUAN Farm is to provide facilities and services for teaching: Provide student-managed practical plots Provide demonstration plots for practical classes Provide structures for both crop and livestock demonstrations Provide structures and animals for practical training in animal production Be a facility for Field Practical Training The second objective of the University Farm is to provide facilities for research by: Providing research plots for staff and student projects Providing structures and experimental animals for staff and student research projects Permitting students to carry out meaningful and well-planned research projects during which a lot of practical skills can be acquired. The third objective of the Farm is in commercial production in areas where, there is comparative advantage to produce. This objective will be realized by: Engaging in production areas which are profitable under Botswana conditions. Developing the attitudes of students towards working with their hands to acquire some good working habits. Serving as a model to the farming community in Botswana and thus send the message that farming in Botswana can be a viable economic option
