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The University of Botswana (UB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development (UNDP) and Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) aimed at establishing a University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD), a pioneering initiative set to launch soon at the University.

The MoU was signed on the 23rd of August 2024. In his welcome remarks, Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, observed that the signing of the MoU symbolised a commitment to tackling pressing contemporary challenges and a shared vision for a more inclusive future. He highlighted the collaborative effort to empower communities, improve educational outcomes as well as drive sustainable growth.

The initiative is geared towards fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity to support youth, the private sector and the industry. Director of the UB Innovation Centre, Professor Richie Moalosi, indicated that the UNIPOD would 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.

UNDP Country Representative, Mr Balazs Horvath, said the UNIPOD was created six (6) months ago and would be launched in November. Mr Horvath remarked that owing to the strong professional relationship between the three parties, the UNIPOD was anticipated to effectively bridge faculty knowledge generation with commercialisation efforts. Such collaboration, he observed, was aimed at facilitating joint ventures between faculty members and students, thereby enhancing practical applications and market-ready innovations.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ms Elizabeth Khumokata, highlighted the Government's recognition of technology and innovation as pivotal in advancing Botswana's development trajectory. She noted that the UNIPOD's establishment was timely given the country's unemployment challenges. The initiative is aimed at providing a dedicated space for researchers and innovators to develop and contribute practical solutions to pressing development issues.

Consequently, the collaboration is aimed at enhancing educational access and opportunities by integrating innovative learning pods into the educational system. The pods will serve as hubs for skills development, digital learning and community engagement, aligning with national and global goals for sustainable development. The MoU reflects the commitment of all parties to foster inclusive education and driving legitimate growth in the region.