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The Minister of Higher Education, Hon Prince Maele, has commended the University Innovation Pod (UNiPOD), saying several of the incubated ideas have the potential to address youth unemployment and build market-relevant skills.

Speaking during the tour of the UNiPOD at the University of Botswana (UB) campus on the 23rd of February 2026, hosted jointly by UB and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Minister Maele said blending innovation with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills was critical for employability. He encouraged students to persevere with industry-focused projects and view incubation as a pathway to entrepreneurship and job creation.

Welcoming the Minister, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, said the University’s strategy prioritised impactful research and innovation that solved societal challenges. Professor Norris noted that UB aimed to produce graduates who were agents of transformation, capable of translating research into tangible products and services.

UNDP Resident Representative to Botswana, Ms Lovita Ramguttee, highlighted the UB-UNDP partnership that established the UNiPOD, supported by US$1.5 million in funding. Ms Ramguttee described the UNiPOD as part of UNDP’s pan-African Timbuktoo flagship initiative designed to harness university-led innovation to address country-specific development challenges.

Providing an overview, UNiPOD Director, Professor Richie Moalosi, said the hub bridged academia and industry by transforming ideas into market-ready solutions. Professor Moalosi noted focus areas including AgriTech, GreenTech, tech solutions, manufacturing, creative industry and indigenous knowledge, with innovators supported through mentorship, legal services and entrepreneurial acceleration.

Closing the tour, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Edward Dintwa said innovation was increasingly embedded across disciplines which strengthened the University’s contribution to national development.