Boost for Botho varsity students

’Makhotso Rakotsoane

MASERU

STUDENTS at Botho University were two weeks ago given smart phones to enable them to conduct research.

Speaking at ceremony to hand over the gadgets, Vice-Chancellor Lucky Moahi said the university is growing from strength to strength since its launch in Botswana 20 years ago.

Botho University Dean Dr Subbaram Ranganathan said the tablets will enable the students to stay in touch with their teachers even when they are home.

He said the idea is to produce graduates who are employable.

Dr Ranganathan said the university will give free data to the students while on campus.

The Deputy Minister of Education Thabang Kholumo said it is critical to equip students with the latest technology to enable them to access information easily.

Kholumo said it is critical for universities to “ensure that their curriculum and learning tools equip and enable students to study and qualify for jobs that are on the market”.

“We need to consider future employment demands and the skills the university leavers will need to compete in a world that shall have been transformed and will be continuing to be transformed by the world of technology at large,” Kholumo said.

The minister said students must be aware that in future most “labour intensive jobs will be replaced by advanced technology”.

Kholumo said we need to ensure that “we are creating new jobs and new businesses and new opportunities through fully tapping the world of technology around us”.

“We can only be in a position to do this when we equip our leaners with learning tools which already expose them and open their minds to explore the world of technology,” Kholumo said.

“I therefore commend Botho University for having realised the absolute need for providing the learners with these most needed learning tools.”

Thekisetso’Mane, the SRC’s Minister of Academic Affairs, said the smart phones will make it easier for them to study.

Botho University established its Maseru campus in 2014.

The university currently offers programmes in four faculties of business, applied sciences, education and accounting.

The university runs three campuses in Botswana.