SPEECH
BY THE
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HON. DR. P. L. MAGAGULA
DELIVERED
AT THE
GRADUATION CEREMONY
OF THE
SWAZILAND COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY (SCOT)
HELD
AT THE
SWAZILAND COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS
ON THE
13TH NOVEMBER, 2015
Program Director
Members of the Royal Family
Members of Both Houses of Parliament
Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Training
Principal Secretaries from Other Ministries
Director of Education and Training
Regional Administrator of the Hhohho Region
Your, Lordship, The Mayor of Mbabane City
Chief Inspectors and Senior Inspectors of Schools
Regional Education Officers
Principal of Swaziland College of Technology
Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Vaal University of Technology
Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Swaziland
Chairperson and Members of the Interim Council of the Swaziland College of Technology
Directors of Other Departments of Government
Swaziland College of Technology Academic Board and Staff
Principals of Institutions of Higher Learning in Swaziland
Parents, Spouses and Friends of Graduates
Graduates and Students of the Swaziland College of Technology
Distinguished Ladies And Gentlemen,
Program Director, Ladies and gentlemen, it is my singular honour and pleasure to be here with you today as a guest speaker as we celebrate the 13th graduation ceremony of the Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT) with the on-going relationship with the Vaal University of Technology.
As a Ministry, we are working hard with all concerned to ensure the fulfillment the commitment of turning the Swaziland College of Technology into a University of Science and Technology. I am aware Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen that this move and process of turning this college into a university is rather slow, but the Swaziland Government is still pushing the agenda and is fully committed to attaining this goal of making this institution a University of Science and Technology. On this note, I would like to thank the interim committee and the entire Swaziland College of Technology staff for working diligently on pushing the process forward. This commitment is not just through the paperwork at committee levels where various documents are being produced to facilitate the transition of the college into a university, we also see their Majesties Government financial commitment and support in this endeavor. Today we are in a different institution than we were in the previous years. We see a new and renovated Swaziland College of Technology. The renovations have brought a new life to the institution. I am sure the management, staff and students of the Swaziland College of Technology are now proud to belong to this institution. I think they are now realizing that what the Swaziland Government declared a couple of years ago that this institution should be a university, is really coming true. On this note I pay special tribute to the Government of Swaziland for making education a priority in the fulfillment of Vision 2022.
Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, the transition from being a college into a university is a hard and lengthy process. I would like to thank the Interim Council for working tirelessly behind the scenes in putting together the necessary paperwork such as the Statutes, the Curriculum, and other guiding documents to ensure that the University of Science and Technology takes off in a solid and grounded foundation. On this note, I pay special tribute to Vaal University of Technology for having been a true friend even on trying and challenging times throughout this process by partnering with the Swaziland College of Technology in offering Bachelor of Technology Programs to the Swaziland College of Technology students. Several cohorts of students have graduated through this relationship. I would like to thank the Vaal University of Technology management and staff for working tirelessly with the management and staff of the Swaziland College of Technology in fulfilling the Swazi students’ dreams of attaining their educational goals and dreams. Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, the presence of the high level delegation from the Vaal University of Technology that we always have during the Swaziland College of Technology graduations is a great indicator of this strong links between the two institutions as well as the high level and strong commitment from both institutions to see the Swaziland College of Technology transit into a fully-fledged University of Science and Technology. To Vaal University of Technology Vice Chancellor and your delegation, I would like to say thank you very much for your unending support and friendship.
Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, this institution has a clear and distinct vision which articulates that the Swaziland College of Technology once it becomes a University of Science and Technology, it shall be a leading University of Science and Technology which would be renowned for its excellence in quality and marketable products. It is going to play its role in the technological advancement and socio-economic development of Swaziland and the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region and beyond.
Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, the importance of Science and Technology in the economic development of countries cannot be over-emphasized. We are all living in a technological era where all our lives are now manipulated by technology. The growth of countries’ economy highly depends on technology. For instance all financial transactions in banks today can be made without leaving our homes and offices. These days we can buy and sell products throughout the world without leaving our offices and homes. Gone are the days of traders who travelled the world for years to establish new trade markets. In those days some of those traders lost lives crossing oceans to trade spices and other goods to far away countries. I say this is the thing of the past because these days through the click of a button of your technological gadget, you can communicate, sell buy, send money to anyone close to you or very far in another country and get the value for your money without being exposed to danger. This can all be done through technology.
Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, I do not want to start a lecture on the importance of science and technology, but what I want to stress is that while the world has moved into the technological world, we are realizing a digital divide. There are those of us who are not able to fit well into this era because we either lack the technological gadgets or we lack the skills to operate the gadgets that are at our disposal. Therefore, institutions such as the Swaziland College of Technology, the Vaal University of Technology and other like them are now needed more than ever for their role in training the highly demanded skills by today’s industrial world. Industry needs highly skilled people to supply the techniques demanded by todays’ socio-economic development of the world era. Therefore, as the Government of Swaziland, we strongly believe that we are investing in the right direction by investing when turning the Swaziland College of Technology into a University of Science and Technology. It is the Swaziland Government’s hope and dream that the graduands from these institutions shall greatly contribute towards pushing the Vision 2022 forward with a great bang.
Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to congratulate the graduating class of 2015 for the job well done. To you graduates, welcome to the world of business and development. You are now expected to use all your skills and expertise that you have gained through your years of study at the Swaziland College of technology and Vaal University of Technology. I know that you have gone through a lot of trying times, challenges and stress. The good thing is you have not thrown the towel and gave up; you thrived on and pursued your dreams and academic goals. That is why I say bravo to you all for the job well done. I would like to further congratulate your friends and family members for supporting you morally, emotionally, physically, and financially as you were pursuing your academic journey. Without all their support, you would not have made it to be where you are today. Thank you family members, friends and spouses for seeing these graduates through and also for coming to share this joyous moment with them today.
Program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, it would be amiss of me not to thank the lecturers and staff of these institutions for the hard word they have put into seeing these students graduate today. I am aware of the challenges that you all went through particularly this past year. I congratulate and thank you all for your resilience and commitment to your calling and profession. Today we are all here to witness your great work in the type of quality work you have put forward by having these students graduate today. I thank you Swaziland College of Technology and Vaal University of Technology lecturers, management and staff for your dedication to the education sector agenda and the education profession as a whole.
In conclusion, program Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to thank all of you have put together today’s event to be the success it is. Thank you for all the performances and entertainment that we have enjoyed so much and that have put smiles on all of us. Without your sacrifices in terms of your time and energy, today’s event would not be the success we have just enjoyed, I want to say keep up the good spirit and the zeal that you have as performers and presenters, Thank you to all of you. My final word is to say to the graduates, welcome to the world, your journey has just begun, keep walking until you reach your destination. And your destination is achieving your dreams and goals. Congratulations class of 2015. God Bless you all.
I thank you for your time Ladies and Gentlemen.