BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Botho University has awarded five scholarships to emaSwati, with the institution saying it is placing particular emphasis on encouraging and empowering women to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The scholarships were handed over as part of a partnership between the university and the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) aimed at using education, technology and innovation to empower young people.
Speaking at the tablet and scholarship awards ceremony, Botho University Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Patrick Mlungisi Msibi said the university was pleased to strengthen its partnership with the ministry through the scholarships.
“Today, we are pleased to further strengthen this partnership with the Ministry of ICT by handing over five scholarships to deserving emaSwati, with a particular focus on encouraging and empowering women in STEM,” Msibi said.
He said Botho University remained committed to expanding access to education through various scholarship categories.
These include scholarships for first-in-family students, need-based scholarships, sports scholarships and women-in-STEM scholarships.
Msibi said the university was particularly proud of the achievements of two of its top-performing students, who had received Botho scholarships and were currently participating in student exchange programmes at the university’s main campus in Botswana.
The students are undertaking six-month internships as part of the exchange programme.
“We are particularly proud that two of our top-performing students have received Botho scholarships and are currently participating in student exchange programmes at our main campus in Botswana, for six months internship,” he said.
The Botswana exchange opportunity demonstrates the university’s efforts to expose emaSwati students to learning and professional experiences beyond Eswatini.
Msibi said the university viewed technology as an important tool in improving teaching and learning, research and innovation, while preparing students for the demands of the future.
“Botho University’s vision and mission are strongly aligned with this initiative. We embrace technology as an essential enabler of quality teaching and learning, research, innovation and the development of future-ready graduates,” he said.
He described the Ministry of ICT as a natural and strategic partner in advancing digital transformation, STEM education and youth empowerment.
According to Msibi, the partnership was not only about providing financial assistance to students, but also about creating opportunities that could help young people develop the skills needed in a technology-driven economy.
The university also presented a tablet to a learner from the best-performing high school in STEM.
Msibi said the tablet should be viewed as more than simply a technological device, describing it as an investment in knowledge, opportunity and the future of the learner.
He thanked Minister of ICT Savannah Maziya and the ministry for their leadership and partnership, while urging the scholarship beneficiaries and tablet recipient to make the most of the opportunities presented to them.
“To the scholarship recipients and tablet awardee, we say: use this opportunity to learn, innovate, serve and inspire others,” he said.
Msibi said Botho University would continue working towards building what he described as a smarter, more inclusive and technology-driven future for Eswatini.
The scholarships and Botswana exchange programme come at a time when the government is placing greater emphasis on STEM education and the use of technology to equip young people with skills relevant to the digital economy.
The minister made one request to the university, she requested that in the next year scholarship awards Botho considers including Tiyandza Ndlovu who represented Eswatini in the ShaktiSAT programme in India.
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