News

The University of Botswana (UB) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted the Botswana UniPOD Makeathon 2024 aimed at fostering sustainable commercialisation of indigenous knowledge through technological innovation.

The event which ran from the 26th to the 29th of November 2024 at the UB Library Auditorium, attracted a diverse group of entrepreneurial participants tasked with developing innovative models aligned with this year’s theme: Sustainable Technology and Indigenous Knowledge.

The Makeathon follows the groundbreaking ceremony for the UB Innovation Centre in October 2024, furthering UB's commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and advancing green technology solutions.

UNDP Youth and Innovation Project Coordinator, Ms Kago Kgosietsile, gave insights into the UniPOD initiative, describing it as part of the broader UNDP Africa Timbuktu initiative. She explained that UB and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) were among 15 UniPODs across Africa designed to bridge the gap between research and development, product creation and market growth. The initiative focuses on nurturing innovative, scalable and impactful entrepreneurship through facilitation and funding.

Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) Manager for Graduate Research and Innovation, Dr Oabona Nthebolang, underscored the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with green technology to drive sustainable innovation. He lauded the Makeathon as an opportunity for participants to draw inspiration from the rich wisdom and practices of local communities, weaving them into technology-driven solutions that honor traditional legacies. Dr Nthebolang commended the participants for their willingness to collaborate with indigenous communities, emphasising the value of cross-cultural learning in crafting impactful solutions.

UB Director of Office of Research and Development (ORD), Ms Kimberly Cornfield, highlighted the vital role of university-driven innovation in promoting local economic growth, creating employment opportunities and supporting sustainable livelihoods. She encouraged participants to embrace collaboration and bold thinking, stating that such initiatives connected academia, entrepreneurs and industry to achieve local, national and international impacts.

Officially opening the Makeathon, UB Lecturer in the Department of Industrial Design and Technology, Professor Patrick Dichabeng, challenged participants to step out of their comfort zones. He observed that the event provided a platform for discourse across industries, exploration of bold ideas as well as formation of potential business partnerships.