The Botswana Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Hon. Tumiso M. Rakgare handed over scholarship kits to the candidates proceeding to India on 27th September 2022 to join Indian Universities on Scholarships.
In a brief handover ceremony held on the 26th September 2022 at the High Commission of India, the High Commissioner of India and Special Representative to SADC H.E Dr Rajesh Ranjan mentioned that of the ten scholarship recipients, six will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and one in technical civil engineering in Andhra University.
Two will be undertaking M.Sc medical physics in Mangalore while one will be doing a PhD in public administration in Punjabi University.
He said that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), which awards fully-funded scholarships with monthly stipends to international students pursuing their undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD research in India, had everything taken care of to ensure that the recipients had nothing to worry about during their period of study.
He encouraged them to contact the High Commission should they encounter any challenges or issues.
For his part, Minister Rakgare congratulated the recipients and acknowledged them for their hard work, and heartily thanked H.E Dr Ranjan on behalf of his ministry and the youth of Botswana for availing this lifetime opportunity.
He encouraged the ten scholarship recipients to avoid complaining too much upon reaching their respective places of study but to instead, work hard with everything they have.
The minister also reminded the recipients that they will be Botswana ambassadors in India and should carry themselves as such and represent the country well.
They were encouraged to learn and explore as this is also an opportunity for cultural exchange, selling our country and bringing back with them investors.
In closing, Rakgare emphasised that they should focus on their studies so that they come back as proud Batswana citizens who will use their qualifications to improve their lives and help grow the economy of the country.
One of the scholarship recipients Amuchilani Mokoka, an administration officer with the Directorate of Public Service Management who will be pursuing a PhD in public administration in Punjabi University, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.
She pointed out that upon return, she plans to apply herself and make a visible impact in her area of profession.
Her area of interest is research and would gladly serve the University of Botswana ss a lecturer if such an opportunity presented itself on her return.
