Collaboration Between Botswana and Swedish TEIs on the Cards

In a quest to acquire sustainable innovative solutions, policy makers around the globe are expected to encourage adoption of internationalisation approach.

This will enable Work-Places and researchers to access world class knowledge across strategic markets. Researchers should ensure that there is value creation resulting from international science and technology cooperation.

On the 10th February 2017, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) through the Department of Statistics, Research, Development and Innovation (SRDI) hosted this critical meeting with STINT’s Executive Director, Dr. Andreas Gothenberg. The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), was set up by the Swedish Government in 1994. STINT is responsible for internationalising Swedish higher education and research.

STINT promotes knowledge and competence development within internationalisation and invests in internationalisation projects proposed by researchers, educators and leaderships at Swedish universities.

STINT promotes internationalisation as an instrument to; enhance the quality of research and higher education, increase the competitiveness of universities and strengthen the attractiveness of Swedish universities. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the possibilities of STINT establishing collaborations and partnerships with Botswana Tertiary Education Providers in the area of research.

During the meeting, the Director - Statistics, Research Development and Innovation (DSRDI), Ms Masego Mokubung expressed her gratitude to STINT for considering Botswana as a possible partner in research.

“I am delighted to host STINT at HRDC more so that the research function in this department is still relatively new, It is my singular belief STINT will assist HRDC in promoting internationalisation as an instrument to enhance the quality of research in our local Tertiary Education Providers thereby increasing the competitiveness of institutions and ultimately strengthening the attractiveness of Botswana Tertiary Education Institutions across the global sphere” said Ms Mokubung. Ms Mokubung noted that there is need for research collaborations as well as Tertiary Education – Industry Link Research, that HRDC is responsible for its promotion, coordination and support and with STINT collaboration, surely research in TEPs will grow exponentially using the internationally recognised standards.

In his remarks, Dr. Andreas Gothenberg enlightened meeting attendants about internationalisation projects proposed by researchers, educators and leaderships across Swedish universities. Dr. Gothenberg elaborated, “STINT promotes internationalisation as an instrument to enhance the quality of research and higher education, increase the competitiveness of universities as well as strengthen the attractiveness of Swedish universities and it is our singular wish to inculcate internationalisation among research institutions in Botswana”. Dr. Gothenberg noted that that STINT is on a mission to encourage renewals within internationalisation

through new collaboration forms and new partners, therefore consider Botswana as one the potential partners in Research and Higher Education. 

The meeting culminated in both parties agreeing to have a follow - up meeting where STINT Board of Directors will have an opportunity to interact with personnel from both the Human Resource Development Planning Demand and Supply-Side.