GABORONE, May 6 (Xinhua) -- University of Botswana launched the University Technology Transfer Office and Innovation Center on Friday, aiming to promote research and development of innovative products with commercial value.
"An Innovation Center such as this is key to our national innovation ecosystem, and will undoubtedly complement our efforts to deliver sustainable economic growth and prosperity," said Vice President Slumber Tsogwane at the launching ceremony.
The center, he said, will also foster a culture of innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, propelling job creation, encouraging collaboration, and promoting technology skills transfer and commercialization.
"These will, in turn, significantly impact the economy by developing new technologies, industries, and businesses that drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance Botswana's global competitiveness," said the vice president.
Botswana still faces challenges that require innovative solutions, noted David Norris, vice chancellor at the University of Botswana, with which the innovation center is affiliated.
"From healthcare to education, climate change, transportation, to communication, we need to find new and creative ways to address these issues," said Norris.
The center will adapt the university's research concepts at early stages into industrial products to feed into the national innovation ecosystem at a higher level, according to the university.
The university, as the only comprehensive university in Botswana, sees its role in the socio-economic development of Botswana as crucial, working to help address key challenges and to innovate for progress, including enhancing access to Information and Communications Technology resources and equipment, and building a network of experts in the local and global market.
Through the center, the university intends to re-energize and give further impetus to the country's agenda of strengthening the national innovation capacity and entrepreneurship development support.
The establishment of the center gains support from the Embassy of China in Botswana. Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Wang Xuefeng said it will help usher Botswana into a knowledge-based economy, through championing applied research as an integral part of the country's development agenda. ■