As
the world commemorated the World Science Day for Peace and Development earlier
this week, Botswana used the opportunity to launch the Botswana Academy of
Sciences. The think tank which was
launched by the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Hon. Nonofo
Molefhi at Mmokolodi Nature Reserve on Tuesday 10th November, 2015
will advise government on science, technology and innovation related matters.
Launching
the academy Hon. Molefhi said, “Science issues tend to be complex, trends or
developments in science and technology happen at a very fast pace. However, the
legislative needs to translate this scientific knowledge into political
choices, there is need for dialogue on many scientific fronts - as science can
either be a tool or security threat, if not legislated properly.”
The
founding chairperson of the academy, Professor Motsoptse Modisi said the
establishment of the academy was a significant milestone in the construction and
consumption of new ideas that illuminate the world around us. He said the
launch of the academy was a celebration of the intellectual and practical
activity that encompasses the systematic study of the structure and behaviour
of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
The
guest speaker at the launch was the president of the Academy of Science of
South Africa, Professor Daya Reddy who shared his country’s experience in
putting together a body of experts to advice government on science, technology
and innovation matters. He said the Academy of Science of South Africa was
inaugurated in 1996 by the former President Nelson Mandela who was also its patron
until he passed on.
“The
academy was formed in response to the need for an academy of science congruent
with the dawn of democracy in South Africa – activist in its mission of using
science for the benefit of society,” he said. He went on to say that evidence-based
study project activities form the core of the academy’s function and are a key
area of future development.
The
launch of the Botswana Academy of Sciences was the culmination of the
commemoration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development. The day is a
UNESCO initiative that was established in 2001 to demystify the sometimes
complex nature of science, technology and innovation by presenting, “the
broader public with an opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of science in
their daily lives and a platform to engage them in debates on science related
issues.”
The
day is celebrated annually on the 10th of November and this year’s
theme was, “Science for a Sustainable Future: Celebrating the UNESCO Science
Report,” in recognition of the release of the 2015 edition of the report. Major activities and academic presentations of
the day discouraged the use of science and technology for destruction of life
such as the design and manufacture of weapons of war and other dangerous machinery
and substances.
UNESCO
recognizes that science, technology and innovation is essential for economic
development and social progress. However, the awareness in science and
technology is very low in developing countries making the importance of
technology and innovation for catch up socio-economic growth and competitiveness
essential for developing countries.
Speaking
on occasion of the commemoration, director in the Ministry of Infrastructure
Science and Technology, Tshepo Kebakile said, “The main purpose of the World
Science Day for Peace and Development was to emphasise the role science and
technology play in helping improve the lives of people.” She
said the aim of the commemoration is to ensure that citizens are kept informed
of the development in science, while underscoring the role scientists play in
broadening peoples understanding of their world knowledge economy as well as
making societies sustainable.
It
is widely recognized that access to new and appropriate knowledge and technologies
promote steady improvements in living conditions, which can be lifesaving for
the most vulnerable populations, and drive productivity gains which ensure
rising income. Botswana has set up structural and strategic frameworks that
build and support national capacity for research science, technology and innovation.
This is demonstrated by the numerous institutions that have been established
and the various policies that have been developed to aide sector development.
In
the aftermath of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis of 2008/09, and the
declining allure of the country’s chief export mineral, diamonds, Botswana has
been under mounting pressure to build innovation capacity that creates a
vibrant science, technology and innovation ecosystem in an effort to diversify
the economy, create jobs, and move the country towards a knowledge-based
economy.
Botswana
has set up structural and strategic frameworks that support research science,
technology and innovation. Among the game-changing institutions that emerged
out of this initiative has been Botswana Innovation Hub, Botswana Institute of
Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Botswana International
University of Science & Technology (BIUST). These recently established
entities add to the already existing University of Botswana (UB) and the soon
to be University Botswana Collage of Agriculture (BCA).
To
provide leadership in science, technology and innovation, the country had
earlier on established a dedicated Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and
Technology and in 2004 established the Department of Research Science and
Technology (DRST) to provide an enabling policy and legislation environment and
coordination of science, technology and innovation activities.
Following
on the Botswana National Research Science and Technology Plan of 2005, the country
recently re-established the Research, Science and Technology subsector within
the High-Level Consultative Committee (HLCC). HLCC comprises policy making
officials from government and captains of industry representing the private
sector. The council seeks, “To consider and to resolve a wide range of issues
which constrain the performance of the economy,” and the restoration of the
HLCC’s Research, Science and Technology subsector gives issues related to
research, science, technology and innovation the attention they deserve.
In
the reverberation of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis, the country
developed the Botswana Revised Research Science, Technology and Innovation
Policy of 2011. The policy calls for, “A systemic approach to research science,
technology and innovation with clear vision, programmes, incentives, measures,
roles, targets and monitoring indicators.”
The
policy’s implementation plan advocates for the establishment of mechanisms and
structures to coordinate linkages across sectors, set priorities and allocate
funding for the policy as well as guidelines for specific programmes that can
be adopted.
Cluster
Development Director at Botswana Innovation Hub Dr Budzanani Tacheba believes that
beyond advising government, the newly established academy of sciences will place
impetus in recognizing scientists well beyond their academic acumen through key
contributions to society and their own communities using science. “The fellows
of the academy shall also collectively help further development of relevant science,
technology and innovation policy documents to advise government through
advisory bodies. As an advocacy body the fellows of the academy will have a new
platform to openly critique science technology and innovation practices outside
their work institutions,” he said.
