Technology Transfer Centre Activities for Developing Transportation Engineering Professionals - A Case of Botswana

Technology Transfer (T2) centre is a repository for information about technologies and resources from appropriate technology to good practice. Despite the availability of numerous transportation technologies and innovative practices developed in various countries, much of these are not known outside the country of development. The objective of this paper is to discuss the innovations and strategies adopted in the establishment of T2 centre in Botswana to train and develop transportation engineering professionals. The Establishment of Botswana Transportation T2 Centre came to reality in June, 2004 as a tripartite arrangement between the Ministry of Transport and Communication; the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Botswana; and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States of America. The mission of the centre is to improve the quality of transportation by having a well-maintained and an efficient transportation system through dissemination of highway technological information and training of both stakeholders and road users. Aims and objectives of the Botswana T2 centre are to facilitate technology transfer through dissemination of relevant best practice in all aspects of transportation; promote research and training of professionals in the transport sector; enhance traffic safety and public welfare of transport users; foster economical, efficient and environmentally sound transportation systems. In conclusion, the paper highlights the outcome of establishing T2 Centre to train and develop transportation engineering professionals through improved technology transfer activities and beneficial uptake of the practice in transportation technology leading to a more efficient and competitive transportation system.