News

The University of Botswana (UB) is set to expand its innovation centre following a P10 million injection from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The funds will boost the institution’s efforts to nurture young talent and support innovative projects in the country.

This follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) UB signed with the United Nations Development (UNDP) and Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) aimed at establishing a University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD). The UNIPOD will be a collaborative and interdisciplinary space where students, faculties, researchers and industry partners come together to explore, develop and implement innovative ideas, projects and solutions.

UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, shared the exciting news during a courtesy visit from renowned astronaut, Professor Christer Fuglesang, at UB on the 2nd of October 2024. Professor Norris expressed optimism about the project, stating that the funding would play an instrumental role in providing a conducive environment for young innovators and inventors to develop their ideas beyond initial showcases.

"We have talented, creative and innovative young people in this country. What has been missing is a nurturing environment for them to excel. With the support from UNDP, we are going to change that," said Professor Norris.

The P10 million will be used to expand the current UB Innovation Centre by providing it with top-notch equipment and enhanced facilities. Professor Norris revealed that the intention was to open the expanded innovation centre by the end of November.

According to Professor Norris, there is a growing need for an ecosystem that supports young talent beyond merely showcasing their innovations. Consequently, the expansion is expected to bridge this gap by offering an incubation space that fosters creativity and helps innovators bring their ideas to market.

Professor Norris also underscored the importance of collaboration with industry and creation of venture capital to further support student innovations. "We invite people from the industry to come and look at the innovative projects showcased by students especially in fields like engineering and industrial design. Already, three investors have shown interest in some of our students' projects," he added.

Meanwhile, Professor Fuglesang is a Swedish physicist, astronaut and professor known for his contributions to space exploration. He became the first Swedish astronaut when he flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery in December 2006 as part of NASA’s STS-116 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Professor Fuglesang completed two spaceflights and performed several spacewalks during his time in space.

In addition to his work with the European Space Agency (ESA), Professor Fuglesang has been involved in promoting space science and technology, and he currently holds a professorship at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. His academic background includes a PhD in experimental particle physics and he has played a key role in space research and education, inspiring many in the fields of science and engineering.