Set up as a national strategic initiative to expand and diversify science, engineering and technology education and to champion relevant industry research which is necessary to facilitate the required economic diversification and sustainable socio-economic development and growth in Botswana, the region and globally.

The university is fully funded by the Government of Botswana for its founding developments. The second phase of development will be done through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the government as one of the parties.

Academic Focus

BIUST is a highly specialised and research-oriented university that focuses on science, engineering and technology. The university will deliver these study programmes at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. As the name suggests, BIUST will enrol students from Botswana, the SADC region and globally. The university is intended to be a state-of-the-art centre of excellence comparable to the best in the world. As home to a global community of students, BIUST seeks to provide a learning and teaching environment equal to none for both students, professors and researchers.

BIUST Development Strategy

The university is being developed in two main phases. The first phase is the Founding Development that will host about 250 to 300 students as indicated below:

• START-UP PHASE: UP TO 1,000 Students (2011 intake targeted at 250 plus)
• GROWTH PHASE: UP TO 4,000 Students
• MATURITY PHASE: 6,000 Students and beyond(at the end of the Public Private Partnership PPP development)

Senior Staff Recruitment

The BIUST has already recruited its Founding Vice Chancellor, Founding Directors, Provosts, Deans and Deputy Vice Chancellors and is in the process of recruiting Professors. BIUST intends to recruit highly reputed research savvy Deans and Professors from around the world who can drive its mandate forward.

The BIUST Environment

The University exists in an environment characterised by both economic and political tranquillity. Botswana, commonly regarded as the grandfathers of multiparty democracy in Africa gained independence in 1966 and has had uninterrupted parliamentary general elections every five years since then. The country, categorised among the ten poorest countries in the world at independence with the lowest per capita income, has exhibited one of the most prudent economic management approaches which has seen it transform into a middle income country with phenomenal growth rates that paralleled even the Asian Tigers. Botswana has continued to enjoy excellent ratings by both the Bretton Woods institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the international Credit Rating Firms.

THE BIUST PHILOSOPHY

DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH… DISCOVERY, INNOVATION, SERVICE AND INDUSTRY LINKAGES!