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The University of Botswana (UB) and Drones for Africa formalised their commitment to advancing technology, innovation and research by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 30th of January 2025. The strategic partnership aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry to drive impactful research and technological advancements.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, underscored the significance of the partnership in promoting diversification through industry-academia collaboration. He observed that such initiatives were essential in transitioning Botswana from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one, leveraging research and innovation to drive sustainable development.

Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), Professor Edward Dintwa, said “the intention of this collaboration is to establish a Drone Research Centre which will introduce drone training programmes and certification while diversifying drone technology and applying research and development into various sectors of industry.”

Professor Dintwa expressed gratitude that the partnership came at a pivotal time when drone technology was being increasingly utilised across various industries and was a key research area. He noted its wide-ranging applications in engineering and the built environment, land surveying, agriculture, healthcare and medicine, environmental monitoring and wildlife conservation as well as disaster relief.

Drones for Africa Managing Director, Ms. Marang Mbaakanyi, stated that the organisation was founded on the belief that technology, when purposefully harnessed, had the power to revolutionise industries and transform communities by driving national progress. She added that collaboration with UB went beyond just a partnership.

It served as a vital link between knowledge and application, aspiration and achievement as well as education and enterprise, noted Ms Mbaakanyi. Further, she said by bridging academic excellence with practical industry experience, the partnership aimed at fostering innovation and driving impactful technological advancements.

Ms Mbaakanyi noted that through the MoU, drone technology would be further integrated into critical sectors, ensuring that Botswana not only kept pace with global technological revolution but also fostered local talent by advancing research capabilities and creating opportunities for the youth. The collaboration would fuel research and development to spark technological innovation and establish comprehensive training programmes, she observed.