The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) proudly hosted the GirlEng Workshop, a collaborative initiative led by the Ministry of Education, Skills, and Development, De Beers Global Sight holder Sales (DBGSS), Debswana, and the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB). This empowering event aimed to inspire and engage young girls with opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers, fostering interest in fields critical to the future of Botswana’s development.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Leapotswe Bantsi, Manager of Outreach and Engagement at BIUST, introduced the Girls Excelling in Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program, an initiative developed to mentor and inspire Form 4 female students with an interest in pursuing careers in STEM. In introducing the GEMS program, Mrs. Bantsi sought to demonstrate the shared vision between BIUST and its partners in driving empowerment of the girl child. She further emphasized BIUST’s commitment to bridging the gender gap in STEM by nurturing young women to become future leaders and innovators.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Didimalang Florah Mmemo, Chief Education Officer for the Palapye Sub-Region, encouraged the participants to embrace the opportunity to explore engineering and STEM fields.
“You should record it as part of your career history—inscribe it in your heart that on this day, 11 October 2024, you were an engineering student at BIUST,” Mrs. Mmemo said. “For some of you, this is the birth of your engineering career. Dream it, achieve it, and tell your success story, for it all begins here. As you interact with role models and experts, focus on transforming your mindset to identify your career path in STEM. Botswana needs problem-solvers, and you are the creative minds who can help solve the challenges of this nation.”
She also emphasized the importance of developing science process skills—asking questions, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions—to equip students to thrive in a future where STEM education plays a critical role.
“As Botswana transitions from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and curiosity is key to building a prosperous society. Educators and communities must collaborate to ensure every student receives the support they need to grow and thrive,” Mrs. Mmemo concluded.
The event hosted 250 aspiring girl engineers aged 15 to 18 from Palapye and surrounding areas, allowing them to explore STEM careers through hands-on activities, interactions with engineering role models, and insightful discussions.
The GirlEng Workshop reinforced the collective responsibility of educators, industry, and communities to cultivate a generation of female engineers and scientists. Through collaboration, BIUST and its partners are building a pipeline of young women equipped to excel in STEM fields and shape the future of Botswana.
Dr. Bokani Mtengi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Communications Systems Engineering at BIUST, shared her academic journey in STEM. Dr. Mtengi holds a BEng in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Hartford, and Master’s and PhD degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Howard University. Her career has spanned roles as a field engineer in biomedical engineering to academia, where she focuses on power electronics, energy systems, research, program development, and mentoring. Dr. Mtengi is a registered ERB engineer and a BQA-certified assessor and moderator.
During her talk, she emphasized the importance of mentoring and addressed the career knowledge gap many girls face due to a lack of role models, geographic challenges, and limited awareness of STEM professions. She also spoke about the perks and challenges of engineering careers, including financial realities, to help the students make informed choices.
Her parting words were: “Be yourself, evolve, show up and make a mark, connect and keep learning—you deserve a seat at any table.”
This workshop was not only a learning experience but also a call to action—reminding participants that with the right mindset and determination, they can achieve greatness and help solve national and global challenges through STEM.
