THINKING BIG!

Institutions of higher learning and research have to step up to the plate and transform into Botswana’s innovation champions. Unless leadership in such institutions, which are the custodians of research and innovation, rise to the occasion and deliver world class products, which are bankable and can be monetized the country’s quest to graduate from a resource based into a knowledge-based economy will remain just a pipe dream. Pressure has doubled on Vice Chancellors of the University of Botswana (UB), BIUST, BUAN, BAC, BOU, private universities and CEOs of thinktanks – BIDPA, BITRI, Botswana Innovation Hub and NFTRC among others. They should be at the forefront and take the lead to disrupt the normal way of doing things and deliver the extraordinary. The time is now!