Founder and President of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato Sri Paduka Dr. Limkokwing has urged graduates of the university to be at the forefront of transforming Botswana through innovation and creativity.
Speaking yesterday at the university’s 2012 graduation ceremony, Dr. Limkokwing reminded graduates that, globally, young people have been at the forefront of recent groundbreaking innovations that have made communications easier. “The people who created Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Twitter were no older than you when they set out to create their footprints. In creating those incredible stations in cyberspace, they changed the world in ways that were beyond imagination,” he said. He noted that he expected graduates to create similar footprints to help Botswana embark on a rapid revolution to keep pace with other countries that are transforming through creativity and innovation.
“Right here in Botswana, we have the opportunity to build a regional technology and innovation hub. Right now, you are the best equipped to drive the transformation that must take place, that is clearly identified in Botswana’s Vision 2016,” he said.
A total of 1026 students from 11 African countries graduated yesterday from the Faculties of Business Globalisation and Tourism Hospitality Information Technology, Design and Innovation, Communication Media and Broadcasting, Architecture and Interior and Creative Multimedia, Sound and Music. They are the fourth group to graduate from the university, bringing the number of graduates to 6736, since the institution opened its doors in March 2007.
Speaking yesterday, Assistant Minister of Education and Skills and Development (MoESD) Patrick Masimolole said these numbers are a commendable output for an institution with just five years of operation on Botswana. He said since the government made a deliberate effort to create space for the private sector to play its share in the provision of tertiary education, Limkokwing University has shared the responsibility with government.
Masimolole also commended the university for providing inclusive education through the establishment of a Special Education Unit catering for students with special needs. He said his ministry will, in keeping with the Study in Botswana initiative, redirect special needs from external institutions to study at home. “This initiative is geared towards supporting home grown private institutions and giving impetus to the country’s economic diversification drive. I therefore challenge Limkokwing University and other private institutions to reciprocate this initiative by way of improving quality of education in order to help Botswana realise its goal of producing a globally competitive human resource,” he said. Meanwhile, General Manager at E-Botswana, Dave Coles, who is a Limkokwing University industry partner urged the government to develop the television and broadcast media industry to ensure that graduates will be able to find employment at the completion of their studies.
On the day, the University also awarded full scholarships to three students, namely Motlagomang Tsheko, Peach Kereemang and Obakeng Mauco, to study for Master’s Degrees at their Malaysian or London campuses after they were awarded the Young Leaders of Botswana Award.
