Masango wins UB Design degree

Eswatini designer boost the disabled student

Industrial design graduates urged to partner

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Kingdom of Eswatini born University of Botswana (UB)’s Industrial Design student Gugulethu Bonsile Masango is the winner of the 2021 edition of Design Degree Show. Masango, who just completed her studies and soon to be job searching, pursued a Degree on Industrial Design and her project portfolio emerged the best, beating numerous other entrants.

In a telephonic interview from Eswatini on Thursday, Masango said she was an in-service student as she was a teacher in the Kingdom of Eswatini for eight years, excluding training in Botswana. He project name is the “CONVINO-AID DEVICE” which simplifies the disabled client’s life as a student when she is doing her academic work at her room where she struggled to use a computer. “I was surprised yet pleased as I was not expecting to be no.1. All the projects that were made by the students were also quite innovative and they were all equal to the task as we gave it our all. I am sure it was not easy for the judges as we were addressing different issues which affect communities in one way or the other. Above all, I am humbled to be given the title,” she said.

Masango said the beneficiary of the project will no longer be prolonged to the hurting bending which subjected her back pains adding that she will come back to Botswana to hand the project. “As designers, we try to improve the client’s work in any form, in this case I was focused in her improving the environment around her academics which can lead to a healthy lifestyle, as she will be able to maintain an ergonomic posture as she work on her assignments,” said Masango.

As she is entering the saturated job market, the passionate Manzini born industrial designer said that she is ready for the job world with all the various practicals she has been exposed to. “As for searching for employment in Botswana it’s a nice idea but I think with the skills we have acquired, we are more than capable of venturing into business, the facts out there is that the unemployment rate is increasing so you can not wait for employment while you have skills. I am thinking of something definitely but most important thing is that the proper planning is needed before making a giant step. I am very happy with the skills that UB equipped me with,” she said.

The UB Department of Industrial Design and Technology on Tuesday hosted the annual Design Degree Show which is aimed at showcasing projects of completing students to give them exposure. Giving a keynote address at the show, Operations Director at International Computer Limited Mogomotsi Ollyn said industrial designers are important in offering solutions to daily challenges. He said as a UB graduate from the same department in 1998, he is glad to see the university still producing graduates who are competing with ideas in the market.

“I urge you as graduates not to give up on your projects when leaving the university. Continue with them and strive to commercialize them. Also, it is important for you to collaborate because as industrial designers you are not technical as engineers. The Covid-19 created platform for the designers to offer solutions to the pandemic and we must rise and take advantage of it,” he said.

Head of Department Industrial Design and Technology, Dr Yaone Rapitsenyane said the theme for the show “Design: Making everyday living easy” is supposed to encourage graduates. He noted that the show reflect on the 5 year stay of students at UB and what they could be able to offer when getting into the market, urging graduates to consider starting their own businesses too.

Dr Rapitsenyane stated that the department will continue to monitor the graduates while they are in the job market adding that the graduates should also keep close contact with department.