Acting President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Ndaba Gaolathe, has described the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) 2025 graduation ceremony as a “national milestone” and a powerful sign of Botswana’s onward march toward greatness.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, Mr. Gaolathe congratulated the graduating Class of 2025, calling them “trailblazers of innovation” and “torchbearers of national pride.” He said their achievements represent not only personal triumphs, but also victories for their families, the nation, and generations to come.
The Acting President underscored the critical role of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), along with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), in shaping Botswana’s future. “STEM and TVET are the twin engines that will drive Botswana away from diamond dependency to a digitally-led, export-driven and diversified economy,” he said.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP), which seeks to reimagine the country’s economic model by investing in nine priority sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, energy, digitalization, healthcare, education, and social protection. “The BETP is bold, uncompromising, and places digitalisation at the heart of our growth model,” he added.
Drawing on his international engagements in Switzerland, Japan, and the United States, Mr. Gaolathe highlighted how Botswana could learn from global partners while building its own identity as a hub of innovation. He praised BIUST’s collaborations with institutions such as MIT, Akita University, and its success with BOTSAT-1 as evidence of the University’s growing role in positioning Botswana at the centre of global scientific progress.
Addressing the graduands directly, he urged them to go beyond certificates and put their knowledge into practice. “Do not become slaves to your qualifications. True power lies in what you do with the knowledge you carry,” he said, calling on them to innovate, create, and inspire.
Mr. Gaolathe also paid tribute to parents, guardians, and mentors, acknowledging their sacrifices in shaping the graduates’ success. He closed with a message of confidence and hope: “Botswana believes in you. I believe in you. Your families believe in you. Your professors believe in you. Now let the world believe in you too.”
The ceremony, held under the theme “Charting New Orbits: Igniting Innovation, Entrepreneurship, National Development and Pride”, celebrated BIUST’s continued growth as a centre of science, engineering, and innovation, with graduates encouraged to carry forward the vision of building a digitally enabled, export-driven, and inclusive Botswana.