News Date : 05 December, 2025
Hokkaido University Team Assesses BUAN Facilities for Installation of Advanced Metal Analysis Equipment
On 5 December, a team from Hokkaido University visited the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) to assess potential locations for the installation of an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The visit marked an important step in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between BUAN and Hokkaido University, which aims to strengthen research collaboration, capacity building, and technological advancement.
The assessment visit is part of activities under the newly launched ZAZINAMBO project, a regional initiative involving Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana. The project, launched in September and followed by a hybrid kick-off symposium in Harare, brings together experts in ecology, environmental sciences, biology, toxicology, and engineering from the four participating countries and Japan. BUAN nominated four representatives to attend the International Symposium on the Impact of Chemical and Biological Hazards on the Environment, Animals and Human Health, held alongside the project’s planning meeting at the University of Zimbabwe from 7 to 8 October 2025.
One of the key outputs of the ZAZINAMBO project is the establishment and functional operation of laboratories for metal contamination monitoring, making BUAN a central player in developing regional capacity for heavy-metal pollution assessment. Another output involves the creation of a regional network for metal contamination monitoring, an important step in advancing collaborative excellence in innovative technologies for agriculture and natural resources management. The project is designed to support sustainable mineral development by strengthening monitoring systems and building human capacity to address heavy-metal pollution across the four countries.
The Atomic Absorption Spectrometer to be installed at BUAN is a crucial instrument for detecting and measuring trace amounts of metals in environmental, agricultural, biological, and food samples. It works by atomizing samples and measuring the absorption of specific wavelengths of light, allowing precise determination of metal concentrations such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, and zinc. The presence of this equipment at BUAN will significantly enhance the institution’s analytical capabilities, enabling advanced research to be conducted locally and reducing reliance on external laboratories.
For Botswana, the installation represents a major milestone in strengthening national scientific infrastructure. It positions the country as an emerging hub for heavy-metal contamination monitoring and supports wider national goals in environmental protection, food safety, and public health. For BUAN, it reinforces the University’s commitment to research excellence and provides invaluable opportunities for staff and students to engage in high-level scientific work.