The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) has officially launched the BIUST STEAM Centre, marking the first initiative of its kind in Botswana and a significant milestone in advancing national science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education.
The Centre has been established in partnership with STEMpower Incorporated, a United States–based organisation founded by the Gelfand Family Charitable Trust. With more than a decade of experience delivering hands-on STEM education across Africa, STEMpower focuses on practical, laboratory-based learning at secondary and pre-university levels, promoting inclusivity and inspiring young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue STEM-related studies and careers.
The BIUST STEAM Centre is a dedicated learning facility that will offer free, age-appropriate, hands-on engineering and science laboratory experiences to students who voluntarily participate. Under the guidance of trained laboratory mentors, learners will have direct access to modern scientific and engineering equipment in a safe and supportive environment.
As a STEM-focused institution, BIUST views the Centre as a strategic extension of its national mandate to build technical and engineering capacity. Practical STEM skills are regarded as essential for strengthening Botswana’s production value chain, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting economic diversification.
The Centre boasts a state-of-the-art virtual computer laboratory with 30 desktop access points and a fully equipped electronics laboratory, enhancing experiential learning in digital systems, electronics, robotics, and emerging technologies. As part of a growing network of more than 90 STEAM Centres across sub-Saharan Africa, the BIUST facility positions Botswana within a broader continental movement to invest in human capital and innovation.
Delivering welcome remarks, BIUST Director for Outreach and Engagement, Dr Haniso Motlhabane, emphasised that while universities have traditionally focused on teaching, learning, and research, the higher education landscape has evolved to include outreach and community engagement.
He noted that BIUST has long engaged learners from primary school level to stimulate interest in STEM, with the addition of Arts strengthening creativity and innovation. The STEAM Centre, sponsored through a United States partnership, is part of this broader outreach mission to give back to the communities the university serves.
Providing an overview of the programme, BIUST representative and lecturer Dr Sigweni explained that the idea was inspired by his academic engagements in the United States and Germany. He said the Centre aims to nurture children’s talents from a young age, adding that he believes “every child is a scientist.”
Dr Sigweni stressed the importance of incorporating Arts into STEM education to equip learners with skills such as content creation and digital innovation, particularly in an era shaped by artificial intelligence. He referenced the government’s recent launch of robotics and automation initiatives and encouraged students to take advantage of the lab to explore robotics and related technologies, especially where access may be limited.
He also called on school heads to actively support and promote the programme within their institutions.
Representing the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education in the Palapye sub-region, Ms Segopodiso Selato described the Centre as a “transformative shock-absorbing system” for education. She said its establishment would go a long way in helping the Ministry realise its goal of delivering quality education aligned with the country’s current and future needs.
Selato highlighted that the lab is open to both students and learners, and that hands-on access would significantly upgrade the quality of teaching and learning. She urged headteachers to cascade information about the initiative to their teaching staff to ensure maximum participation.
She further called on Batswana to reduce reliance on other countries by leveraging the lab to stimulate innovation among young learners and adults alike, encouraging them to develop products and explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
BIUST Vice Chancellor Professor Otlogetswe Totolo underscored the inclusive nature of the initiative. He noted that STEM enrichment programmes help bridge gaps across gender, ethnicity, and social backgrounds, fostering unity, innovation, and development within and across communities.
According to stakeholders, STEMpower’s work is guided by three core objectives: addressing societal challenges through practical problem-solving; strengthening national capacity by building engineering and technological skills to enhance production and reduce import dependency; and empowering learners at scale by enriching pre-university STEM education to improve quality, innovation, and career readiness.
With the launch of the BIUST STEAM Centre, Botswana takes a decisive step toward building a generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators equipped to drive sustainable development and economic transformation.