Botswana Innovation Hub(BIH) will host an inaugural innovation day dubbed as, “Innovation Botswana 2017” at the BIH Science and Technology Park in October 26th 2017 in Gaborone.
Addressing a media brief this Wednesday, BIH Director- ICT and Marketing, Tshepo Tsheko explained that the event aims to celebrate innovation and create a platform for networking, dialogue and exhibition with intention of bringing together local and regional players in the science, technology and innovation space.
Tsheko said, “we need to celebrate and showcase innovations that Batswana are working on, together with Internationals. This is to bring innovators and innovation seekers together; business to business interactions; funding and technical support and pitching opportunities.
“BIH brings together all players. We are constantly saying if there is anything we haven’t identified, we want to know how we can make it a success.” This will be carried out in an effort to sensitise stakeholders and the public on the current developments that have been taken by the BIH in line with its mandate of ensuring that Batswana are aware of the role of innovation in diversifying the economy.
BIH Public Relations Manager, Tigele Mokobi said they look forward to seeing key stakeholders such as Minister of Tertiary Education Dr Alfred Madigele, BIH Board chairperson Neo Moroka, together with various Chief Executive Officers, Vice Chancellors and Head of Departments of BIH partner with institutions in government, academia and the business community.
These will form a viable platform for the development of Innovation in Botswana. Mokobi says, “innovation Botswana 2017 will be the first of what will become an annual event, going forward it will be titled “Innovation Botswana” followed by a year in which it is held. We look forward to moulding it into a coveted platform that will become a think tank for Botswana’s best strides in innovation”
The overall objective of the event is to empower participants with a clear view and appreciation of the local innovation space. BIH Director- Cluster Development, Budzanani Tacheba added that “it will be an appreciation of what we have in Botswana and be able to export to other markets.”
Through Innovation Botswana 2017, the public will be given insight into what innovators are developing in their own spaces while also raising awareness on what legislative policies government is putting in place to support technology entrepreneurs.
The day will also accord participants an opportunity to engage stakeholders in dialogue during the scheduled plenary sessions, workshops as well as see and appreciate the creations coming from local innovators.