Palapye — Construction of the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is finally underway in Palapye.

The first phase of the development project, with an initial cost of P429 829 million is expected to be completed in the next 18 months.

Structures will include the administration and academic block, laboratories, library and auditorium, food court, multi purpose hall and 70 staff houses.

In a media briefing at the site this week, BIUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Kweku Bentil said the second phase of the project would be conducted through the Public Private Partnership.

He revealed that out of the eight consortiums which have shown interest, four of them are pre qualified to move to the next stage and these four have already injected the required P2 million into the project. "Transaction advisors to government are currently developing tender documents for the second phase of the project," he said.

Expressing excitement at these developments, Bentil said the university has already secured strategic partnerships with NAFTEC in Kanye, AKITA university in Japan, University of Newcastle in Australia and Universities of Guelph and Florida in Canada and the USA respectively. Bentil said BIUST will focus on researches in water preservation and quality, renewable energy, environment, food and community nutrition, mining, human and animal health.

Bentil further noted that while they have recruited staff for a number of posts, they still face the challenge of attracting people to move permanently to Palapye which does not have recreational areas.

"A lot of people who will be working here will have school going children but there is only one private school in Palapye. The other challenge is whether the hospital is big enough to cater for the staff," he said. Bentil also revealed that staff members funded to study master degree programmes at other institutions have been encouraged to continue to the PHD and Doctorate programmes, until BIUST opens its doors in March 2011.