At an auspicious Graduation Ceremony held recently on a virtual platform across multiple media channels, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, and various stakeholders celebrated 263 students that earned their hats as the university’s 2021 graduates.
The institution’s new alumnae graduated in various courses of study from the BIUST’s three faculties. The faculties of Engineering, Science and Technology respectively. The Graduation, which is the sixth since the inception of BIUST was held under the Theme; ‘Leveraging science, engineering and technologies for design thinking in the changing world’.Amongst other dignitaries that graced the virtual celebration ceremony were the University’s Chancellor and also former President of the Republic of Botswana Dr Festus Mogae, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology honourable Dr Douglas Letsholathebe , B I U S T Council Chairperson Mr Balisi Bonyongo and principals of various organisations.
The Managing Director of Lucara Botswana Naseem Banu Lahri was the Key Speaker. While the graduates received their attainments, several others, recognised as best achievers, celebrated twofold as they also received academic excellence awards from various organisations. The Awards included the LEA Student Life Award that was scooped by Sello Amantle Tracy, the Botswana Innovation Hub Award that went to Tshekiso Opelo, the Botswana Oil Award won by Tom Obakeng and Morupule Coal Mine award that was bestowed Potli Tlotlo Kearata. Other winners include Makgoeng Kabelo Ben who won the Botswana Vaccine Institute Award, Kemiso Kabo with the Bank Gaborone Award. Moshe Thato Jacob scooped the BOCRA Award, Oromeng Katlo won the Khoemacou Award, and the Square Kilometre Array Award went to Karabo Keaotshepha. Lebogang Kabelo Lovermore walked home with the Debswana Award and the BTCL Award, Mokgotsi Mothusi bagged Letsatsi Investment Award.
For his distinctive achievement, the overall best graduate of the day Puoetsile Agolame Motlalekgosi excelled with a troika of awards being the BIFM Award, Liberty Life Award and the prestigious Chancellor’s Award. The key speaker, Naseem Banu Lahri relayed hearty congratulations to the BIUST graduating class of 2021 and expressed pride that they had weathered the storms of last year that shook the entire globe. She encouraged graduates to continue with their hard work, to avail themselves, open their eyes and spot opportunities and strive to make an impact either as entrepreneurs or employees. She said she had learnt recently from other captains of the mining industry that confessed that BIUST had produced graduates of repute that were contributing immensely to the industry and encouraged the new alumnae to follow suit.“You are considered a great asset to the mines. This should instil a sense of pride in all of you and awaken the spirit of carrying the legacy that those who came before you are creating. You were trained and taught by the best, and the best you will be wherever you will be,” she