23 Jul 2024

The United States (US) Army and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) are hosting a four-day workshop on research technologies in water and energy in Maun.

Titled the US-Botswana Workshop on Research Technologies in Water and Energy Needs for Remote Austere Locations 2024 (WORTHWEEDS), the workshop aims to identify the latest challenges, technologies and research pertaining to water and solar power in remote austere locations. It has attracted experts from the US, Botswana and around the world who would make presentations and recommendations on water and energy resources crucial for sustainability and resilience in remote areas.

Welcoming participants during the official opening on Monday, BIUST Vice Chancellor, Prof Otlogetswe Totolo said the workshop was a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to address critical challenges of water and energy security in remote and austere environments.

He said they had brought together minds from government, academia and industry to forge new paths in water and energy research. 

He said due to the importance of water and energy and the increasing uncertainty of their supply, there was need for a more coherent approach in addressing water and energy challenges.

“Water and energy are inextricably linked and research and innovation in this sector should assist to identify strategies that balance energy demand and environmental goals," he said.

He described the workshop as a unique platform to exchange ideas, learn from each other and build lasting partnerships that would drive progress in water and energy research.

He thanked the US Army for the workshop and giving BIUST the opportunity to host and be a partner with them. 

Speaking on behalf of the US ambassador to Botswana, Colonel Mark Whiteman said there were many reasons to work as a team and to solve problems around water and energy. 

He said climate change was now prioritised as a global threat, and that the US national security strategy and their Defence Department had been charged with developing strategies to tackle trans-boundary threats such as climate change. 

He added that they required trans-boundary solutions hence the need to work as a unit with partners and allies to enhance resilience to climate change and to reduce the need for militaries to respond to instability and humanitarian emergencies.

“Botswana is a perfect partner to work with in these efforts and the workshop is a testament to strengthening our bilateral partnership," he said, adding that their collective abilities could be the catalyst for positive change.

He said Botswana, with its abundance of sunlight, had potential to be one of the top producers of solar energy and that it could enable the country to develop a thriving energy economy and become electricity self-sufficient. 

He added that the country could eventually become a global leader in clean energy manufacturing. ENDS