When he talks about delivering a knowledge-based economy, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Vice Chancellor Professor Otlogetswe Totolo lights up and almost turns hypnotic as he enters a trance of a man possessed. In clear unambiguous language tactfully crafted to avoid complex jargon he sets out to demonstrate how every aspect of daily life, regardless of simplicity or complexity, can be unravelled and understood through methodical scientific research. He speaks with conviction of how BIUST has deliberately adopted a hands-on problem solving approach to learning, to produce graduates that will create jobs rather than roam the streets unemployed. Such talk has become Totolo’s trademark at every forum, emphasizing ‘research & innovation’. Speaking at the end of a recent whirlwind media tour of BIUST Faculties on campus in Palapye, Prof Totolo could not conceal his gratitude following the approval by cabinet of a P1.3 billion budget to drive the 2016-2022/23 Strategic Plan. He boasted that Botswana is a pioneer because comparatively, no other African country spends more than one percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research and development. Even the world over, the best performers spend only around five percent of their GDP to fund science,…