News

The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Hon Tiroeaone Ntsima, has announced plans to support the commercialisation of 58 student innovations showcased at the University of Botswana (UB) 2026 Degree Show.

Speaking during the exhibition held on the 9th of June 2026 at the UB Campus Indoor Sports Centre, Minister Ntsima said government was committed to ensuring that promising innovations developed by young people were transformed into viable businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.

To achieve this, he revealed plans to bring together all 58 innovators under a single platform to explore opportunities for incubation, funding and commercialisation. He emphasised that universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions should not be viewed as competitors but as complementary partners in driving innovation, industrialisation and national development.

Held under the theme, “Bridging the Industrial Skills Gap through Research, Digital Transformation, and Social Inclusion for Resilient Economic Growth,” the annual exhibition brought together students, academics, industry leaders, policymakers and members of the public.

The exhibition featured innovative projects developed by final-year students from the Department of Industrial Design and Technology, highlighting solutions in areas such as manufacturing, digital technologies, sustainable product development and community-centred innovation.

Speaking at the event, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, said the Degree Show reflected the University's commitment to producing graduates equipped with the skills, creativity and entrepreneurial mindset required to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Professor Norris called for greater investment in the commercialisation of university research and innovation, noting that many student projects had the potential to be developed into products and businesses that could contribute to economic diversification.

He pointed to initiatives such as the University's scientific glassblowing project as well as its capacity to produce liquid nitrogen and biodiesel as evidence of the innovative potential that existed within UB. He added that the University was ready to work with government and industry to translate research into practical solutions and economic opportunities.

The Vice Chancellor also challenged the notion that graduate unemployment was solely the result of a skills mismatch, arguing that stronger growth in the private sector would create greater opportunities for graduates entering the labour market.

Beyond showcasing student talent, the Degree Show provided a platform for engagement between students, potential employers, investors and industry leaders. It also offered students an opportunity to demonstrate the practical application of knowledge acquired during their studies while receiving valuable feedback from professionals and the public.

As Botswana intensifies efforts to build a knowledge-based economy, the 2026 Degree Show highlighted the important role of higher education, research and innovation in supporting industrial development, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.