CEDA/DBSA UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE TOP 10 FINALISTS EXCEL IN THEIR PROPOSAL PRESENTATIONS

CEDA/DBSA UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE TOP 10 FINALISTS EXCEL IN THEIR PROPOSAL PRESENTATIONS

Creativity, Innovation, Economic Diversification and Implementation was the order of the day at the CEDA/DBSA Top 10 Finalists interviews held at Masa Square Hotel. The 24^th of October 2017 marked a very important day for the Top 10 finalists that have made it thus far in the inaugural CEDA/DBSA University Challenge that was launched earlier this year on 1st of June.

After receipt of 224 applications, the CEDA/DBSA University Challenge Secretariat along with a panel of highly esteemed judges in the business and medical fraternity being Mrs. Tiny Kgatlhwane, Mr. Sennye Obuseng and Dr. Kopano Mpuang-Allmon put the finalists through their paces in todays Top 10 Finalist interviews. Since the closing of applications on September 25, 2017, applications were screened for compliance in the submissions, evaluated against the guidelines, and finally judged to come up with the Top 10 that had been selected. This was a lengthy process as every one of the submissions was carefully assessed to come up with the Top 10.

In todays’ exercise, the finalists were tasked to present and defend their proposals to the judging panel in a room full of policy makers, captains of industry, senior managers and the media. Presentations ranged from Bio-Diesel Production, Waste Management, Solar Powered Mobile Laboratories, Web and Mobile based applications to aid both parents and teachers in monitoring student academics, production of organic fertilizers and flood barriers to help curb damage caused by natural disasters. The presentations were nothing short of extraordinary and more importantly dynamic.

Finalists put their best foot forward and had 10 minutes to present their proposals and defend them as the judging panel posed questions to verify their knowledge of their submissions. The Top 10 presentations and interviews form as 20% of their overall mark. The documented proposal gave an overview of the project proposal and accounted for 80% of the challenge. On completion of their presentations and question and answer sessions the judges were left with the difficult task of deliberating and identifying an overall winner that will be announced at the prize-giving ceremony to be held on the 31^st of October 2017.

In his closing remarks the Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Andrew Madeswi commended both the judges and the finalists on the level of professionalism in assessing and presenting their proposals. For his part he said “Todays exercise has really proven that the CEDA/DBSA University Challenge has unearthed real talent from the various institutions, the finalists have really presented projects that are innovative and with more time and guidance the proposals could soon be a reality”. Mr. Madeswi also implored the audience to pledge their assistance to the finalists monetarily and by offering possible opportunities within their industries. “The CEDA/DBSA University Challenge will grow in the years to come, both headline institutions (CEDA and DBSA) are constantly looking for any opportunity to partner with stakeholders that could help grow the competition to the magnitude it could possibly be.” said Madeswi.

On behalf of the judges, Dr. Kopano Mpuang- Allmon commended the finalists for having the courage and conviction to defend their proposals. She said “All of you have shown true determination in standing up in a room full of leaders and us the judging panel and taking us through what you have proposed. All of you have done exceptionally well and for that you must give yourselves a pat on the back”.

The 2017 CEDA/DBSA University Challenge will conclude on 31 October 2017 at a prize-giving ceremony to be held at GICC. The Vice President of Botswana and Patron of the CEDA/DBSA University Challenge, His Honour Mokgweetsi E. Masisi will be the keynote speaker. Other key dignitaries that will be present will be the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Honourable Vincent T. Seretse, CEDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thabo Thamane, DBSA Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Association of African Development Finance Institutions, Mr. Patrick Dlamini and CEDA Board Chairman Dr. Alfred Tsheboeng.

The awards ceremony promises to be full of glitz, glamour and entertainment as CEDA and DBSA University Challenge 2017 celebrate the deserving finalist and those that participated.  

Ends…

For further information regarding this article kindly contact:

Mr. Leatile G. Bakwena

Communications Manager

Tel: +267 3991084

Fax: +267 3951823

Email: lbakwena@ceda.co.bw