DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
About SDG 8
Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) seeks to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It emphasizes that economic growth must be driven by fair employment opportunities, safe working conditions, and equal access to jobs that uphold human dignity.
Key drivers of SDG 8 include productivity, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the protection of workers’ rights. Globally, the goal calls for reducing unemployment, eliminating forced and child lxdfabor, and supporting youth employment and skills development.
In Africa, Agenda 2063 Goal 4: Transformed Economies and Job Creation echoes this vision, advocating for economic diversification, industrialization, and inclusive labor markets. Within the higher education sector, universities are critical in equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations necessary to contribute to sustainable economic growth.
BIUST's Commitment to SDG 8
At the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), we are committed to fostering fair, inclusive, and sustainable employment practices while equipping students with practical skills to succeed in the workforce. BIUST’s SDG 8 initiatives reflect a dual focus: ensuring staff well-being and promoting student employability, both vital for national economic development and aligned with BIUST’s Transformative Strategy 2023–2028.
Key Highlights
- Fair and Ethical Employment: All staff receive competitive wages above the local minimum, supported by policies that prohibit discrimination, forced labor, and modern slavery.
- Union Recognition & Labor Rights: BIUST recognizes trade unions, safeguarding employees’ freedom of association and collective bargaining, ensuring equitable treatment for all, including women and international staff.
- Pay Equity & Transparency: Standardized salary structures and clear mechanisms for addressing pay concerns promote gender pay equity and fairness.
- Student Work Experience: Over 2,450 students participate in internships and work placements, linking academic learning to real-world applications and enhancing career readiness.
- Responsible Outsourcing & Contract Security: Procurement practices ensure the rights and welfare of outsourced staff, promoting stable and ethical employment.
- Investment in Staff: BIUST invests significantly in staff development, training, and upskilling to enhance career growth and well-being.
Impact on the University
- Leadership and Governance: BIUST sets a benchmark in higher education for promoting decent work and fair employment standards.
- Staff Empowerment: Ethical employment, fair pay, and labor rights recognition foster productivity, job satisfaction, and retention.
- Student Employability: Structured work placements prepare graduates to contribute effectively to Botswana’s evolving economy.
- Inclusive and Sustainable Growth: BIUST aligns workforce diversity, fair employment, and responsible procurement with Botswana’s Vision 2036 and Agenda 2063 goals.
- Enhanced Reputation: Commitment to decent work and human capital development strengthens BIUST’s national and regional standing.
Alignment with Botswana’s NDP 12 and BIUST Transformative Strategy 2023–2028
Botswana’s National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) is a strategic roadmap for achieving SDG 8. It prioritizes private sector-led growth, job creation, economic diversification, skills development, and an enabling business environment. Key NDP 12 strategies include:
- Private Sector-Led Growth: Transitioning from a government and diamond-dependent economy to a private sector-driven model to stimulate sustainable economic growth.
- Job Creation and Unemployment Reduction: Addressing youth unemployment through entrepreneurship, skills development, and informal sector support.
- Economic Diversification: Focusing on energy, manufacturing, digital services, and agriculture to promote inclusive growth.
- Skills Development: Investing in education and workforce training to enhance employability and productivity.
- Inclusive and Accountable Growth: Ensuring no one is left behind through broad-based consultations and performance monitoring.
BIUST’s Transformative Strategy 2023–2028 aligns seamlessly with NDP 12 by:
- Preparing graduates with knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding to contribute to national development.
- Promoting staff well-being, capacity building, and fair employment practices.
- Fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and research that drive economic diversification and sustainable growth.
Engagements:
- BIUST Teams Excel in National Entrepreneurship Competition
- Building Bridges: BIUST, BOPEU, and BOSETU Sign Collective Bargaining Agreement
- BIUST Hosts Inaugural Student Lifestyle, Sports, Recreation, and Cultural Week
- Spring Celebration at BIUST Promotes Team Spirit and Positive Work Environment
- Flying High: BIUST and Drones for Africa Partner to Boost Drone Skills and Industry Growth
- Biust at the helm of a new initiative that strives to promote space science and technology in Africa
- Advancing Botswana’s Knowledge Economy: BIUST Hosts NRF Delegation