IDM 11th Joint Graduation Ceremony in Style

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 08:00

Eight Hundred and Seventy (870) graduands were conferred with Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates by the Institute of Development Management (IDM) at the Institute’s 11th Joint Graduation Ceremony held at Boipuso Hall last week. Graduands were awarded at this prestigious occasion which attracted people from Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini (BLS) who came dressed in their national attires to confirm the cultural diversity of the institution which has been around for more than four decades. BLS countries are the markets where IDM operates.

Officiating under the theme Growing Great Minds through Innovative and Relevant Education, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale said the theme was appropriate as most nations are striving to take the direction of building innovation-led economies.  “Let me point out that in order to reach the stage of an innovation-led economy, there is a need to first achieve the stage of a knowledge-based society. For us in Botswana, we have prioritised transiting from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. We have to do a bit of catch up, but I have no doubt that we have the commitment and resolve to achieve this through our National Human Resource Development Strategy. This is premised on the realisation that the world is in the Age of Knowledge. As a result, societies that will forge far ahead are those that put premium on the continuous search for, and acquisition of, knowledge – especially new knowledge,” he elaborated. 

The strategy, according to Molale, takes an ambitious posture that Botswana education system should produce graduands who are globally competitive, and therefore can become global workers. He emphasized the importance of an education system that responds to the concerns of the market, adding that on top of technical skills offered, graduands must also be equipped with the often overlooked yet necessary life skills, such as communication, presentation skills, emotional intelligence, innovation, team work, courtesy, personal discipline, timekeeping, hard work, and problem solving. “We will not be able to compete with the best in the world, or even our peers, if we don’t embrace these attitudinal changes,” he said. For his part, IDM Regional Director and Chief Executive, Richard Malikongwa said the event offered a graduands a moment of celebration, achievement, reflection on the past and hope for the future. “I am particularly gratified to be able to welcome all students whose success we are celebrating today.

These are the IDM Class of 2017. IDM emphasises on partnerships to develop world- class programmes, partnerships that also strengthen our collaboration on consultancy and research initiatives. Through collaboration, IDM continues deepening relationships with several internationally recognised institutions to bolster our product offering,” he stated. Malikongwa said IDM has also crafted a bullish strategy to penetrate the market and continuously search for more collaborative partners both in the SADC region and beyond. “Markets that remain in our radar are Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Sudan, Ghana among others. In addition, IDM partners with professional bodies such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and National Computing Centre (NCC) to solidify our product offering for learners such as the ones we are celebrating today,” he said.

He called on graduands to be game changers and part of the success stories of their countries “Anything you aspire, work hard to get it. When you get it, reach back, pull someone else up; translate your learnings at IDM into action; do not give up in the face of adversary; investment is self- driven, if no one invests in you, invest in yourself. If no one believes in you believe in yourself. Never be discouraged, give everything you’ve got. Pursue a game changing life – behave and think like a game changer, populate your head with best ideas, books, and conversations and on what is working not what is not working,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education & Training of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and IDM Deputy Board Chairperson, Dr. Thabiso Lebese urged graduands to appreciate their families for the support they gave them during their studies. “Today is your defining moment to appreciate and value family, they have provided you with support, guidance and love to enable you to achieve your academic excellence.” Board Member, IDM Eswatini Professor Patricia Joubert lauded IDM for making the event a success, and thanked everyone for attending. She was speaking at the stakeholder luncheon immediately after the awarding ceremony.