CREATIVE INDUSTRIES: KEY TO ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION

As part of the Limkokwing University’s active industry engagement, the university collaborated with Botswana Innovation Hub on their popular panel discussions termed “Coffee sessions” themed Creative Industries: Key to Economic Diversification.

Limkokwing University’s goal is to mould graduates with creative minds to make meaningful contributions to the society, transform their lives, shape their characters while developing their sense of values and impart them with skills they need to become world-class industry leaders. These students experience a different, relevant and limitless type of learning environment; they are trained using the latest industry-standard equipment, tools, and software in digital and broadcast media, video, web, computer graphics, architecture, advertising packaging and fashion among many other exciting fields of study.

Botswana Innovation Hub focal point is to provide state of the art buildings and facilities to attract domestic, regional and global companies to locate business as well as research and development activities within the Park and promote technology –based creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. In order to foster technological entrepreneurship and move the innovation agenda forward it is critical to strengthen capacity for creativity and innovation.

The coffee session’ intention was to discuss how Limkokwing University as an institution of Creativity and innovation can leverage its creativity for Economic diversification. Giving his welcome Remarks, Limkokwing University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Gape Kaboyakgosi said the event marks the recognition of one of the institution’s major niche areas and our track record speaks volumes. He said the university prides itself in industry readiness concept with some collaborative undertakings like this one today.

Dean Molebatsi from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Development expressed that the ministry’s gratitude to be part of the discussions around issues of creativity and economic diversification. He explained that the ministry is working tirelessly to come with a sector strategy to drive the creative industry to heights it has not reached yet and also a human resource strategy specifically to energize creative industries. Molebatsi wished the panelist well to open the eyes of the audience in attendance to the existing possibilities.

Yandile Nuku was the facilitator and Panelists included Tonderai  Tsara who is Director / Partner & Co- Founder of The Dialogue Group who is also the University’s industry Advisor, Tsara focused on bestowing information on the local creative industries eco – system, value chain analysis of the industry of what has been happening, opportunities of growth  for unlocking the future in the creative industry and the challenges based on his 14 years experience in marketing and advertising sector.

The second panelist Mummy Molapo with 8 years’ experience of teaching Arts and mentoring in the fashion industry stated cut crossing tourism and education sectors the creative industry interacts with and the opportunities in the future. Observations in mentoring and teaching arts, how the education system can be improved to create a mechanism that will fit into the competitive talent in the creative industry.

Lame Dilotsotlhe a social entrepreneurship and a visual communicator currently pursing BA (Des) in Professional Design at Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology was the last speaker. His focus was on the importance of using digital Innovation’s to solve economic/social problems and how that impacts on a nation. Moreover the aspect of the future of the country’s education system through creative innovative solutions, infusing design thinking in problem solving; how applying these digital Innovation’s can contribute to our country’s economic growth.

In closing Dr. Tacheba; Director of Cluster Development lamented that Botswana Innovation Hub serve people of Botswana through a creative and networked innovation system which supports the goals of strengthening knowledge, productivity, competitiveness, and economic diversification, leading to more resilient wealth creation, while being mindful to protect the environment. He explained that the coffee sessions are a platform taken very highly by Botswana Innovation Hub as they believe that it allows the voice of those that don’t normal get their voice out to be heard, it’s a crowd sourcing platform and it target those that are affected and impacted by daily challenges and have stepped forward to finding solutions for those challenges.

Limkokwing University global graduates in general practice; carry the best results that are often achieved through a mix of traditional and contemporary media. The University pushes education transformation envelope and is leading the way as the Innovation and Creativity Hub of Africa, and this is evident through its most globalized cohort of young professionals  The university as a Global Connector is fully effective, and carry a genuine commitment to creating dialogues that involve and informs creative industries. This initiative has provided a platform for Botswana’s unique innovative creative talent among it, Limkokwing University Students, graduates and staff to grasp fresh ideas that can be used to contribute innovatively towards the Creative Industry Sector in Botswana.