Lijeng Ranooe
THE National University of Lesotho (NUL) has lined up Africa-EU Renewable Energy Research & Innovation Symposium (AEREIS) as well as the National University of Lesotho International Science, Technology & Innovation Conference and Expo (NULISTICE) from 23 to 26 January 2018 at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru.
The two events which will be facilitated by NUL’s Faculty of Science and Technology will enable local and international scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and policy-makers to showcase their innovations and products.
Speaking at a recent press conference at the NUL Institute of Extra Mural Studies (IEMS) Maseru campus, NUL Vice Chancellor, Professor Nqosa Mahao, said that the university was making great strides to promote the sciences and encourage innovation among Basotho.
“We are on the road to producing a diversified portfolio of graduates,” Professor Mahao said.
“We want to foster a group of graduates that will not only seek employment but also create jobs. We are making a major shift from the soft sciences to the hard sciences such as engineering and technology because such graduates stand to gain more opportunities.”
“Only when the country is able to produce will we be able to create jobs and contribute to the economy. The issues of science and technology coupled with innovation are going to contribute to achieving this. This is why Nulistice is very crucial to the direction that the university is going in terms of using science and technology foster innovation.”
NUL Head of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mosotho George, said the international conference will focus primarily on academic research in the fields of Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“It will be a convergence of international scholars from many areas of science and technology with the theme, ‘Resource Mobilisation and Entrepreneurship Action for Development of African and that RERIS is a joint effort of NUL through the Energy Research Centre (ERC) where academic research in the fields of Renewable and Sustainable Energy will be presented and tickets are M3500 which includes the NULISTICE-RERIS Gala Dinner and a day trip to Metolong Dam on 26 January’,” Mr George said.
He said the NULISTICE Expo at Pioneer Mall will target the local audience and it is meant to help the society appreciate the role that academic research plays in daily life.
It is also meant to attract funding for the commercialisation of academic projects.
“The NULISTICE-RERIS Gala Dinner to be held at Avani Maseru to mark the last day of the conference on the 25 January 2016 which will be attended by dignitaries from the government of Lesotho, Directors and chief executive officers of companies, NUL and International Academics and Interested members of the public.”
“A number of formal agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) are expected to be signed. There will also be a formal launch of the MSc Sustainable Energy programme and Energy Research Centre and NUL Innovation Fund. The event will also give the participants some time to unwind and reflect towards the end of the whole thing. Public members who are not participants at the conference are free to attend this Gala Dinner at a fee of M500,” Mr George said.
There will be three competitions and an entrepreneurship training event at IEMS Campus and NUL Roma Campus from the 20 to 25 January. Lesotho Post Bank will give away M100 000 in prize money to the top three winners.
The three competitions are the Start-up Weekend (19 to 21 January) at the NUL Roma Campus, Ideas turned to business on 22 January at the NUL Roma Campus, CODERINA University Challenge at IEMS Maseru Campus on the 22 January and the Skills up Training at IEMS Maseru Campus on 23 January this year.