JMC vows to conduct evidence-based research
Joint Mind Consult (JMC) Country Managing Director Dr Patrick Molutsi says the country needs to develop its research profile since evidence-based research is the only way to measure progress or failures.
Molutsi said that research is taken for granted in Africa and it is sad that very little money has been invested in research and technology. He told a press briefing on Monday that as JMC they are bringing research leaders to conduct research seminars on Research Data Management. He said that instead of the usual talk about the transformation to technology there should be action to complement it.
Giving an example of the recently ended Botswana Golden Jubilee celebration, he said research should have been carried out to determine how far we have come in terms of our economic journey, our road accidents statistics and many other indicators to show our real journey and evaluate.
He said if research was not done to see how Botswana has been performing and as a result there won’t be any change in the next coming 50 years. Molutsi who once headed the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) said even through limited budget he pushed to have research done at the institution and even convinced the board to have a department of research and statistics.
On JMC he said they exist to aid even tertiary institutions to conduct research with them and evaluate how many of their graduates are getting absorbed in the industry and they also have services for students who want to pursue their education further. Their seminars will be conducted at Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation on the 7th of October as well as the University of Botswana and Botswana International University of Science and Technology on the 10th of October.
The speakers will include Dr Ross Wilkinson of Australia National Data Service, Dr Mark Parsons, Secretary General of Research Data Alliance, Professor John Wood Secretary General of Association of Commonwealth Universities and Dr Simon Hodson Executive Director of the Committee on Data for Science and Technology.