Thotobolo Morapedi is a 34-year-old young man with over 5 years extensive experience in Software Engineering environment. Thotobolo started his career at Ministry of trade and industry as a System Analyst in 2012, then later moved to Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) as a teaching assistant under the Department of Computer Science and pursued a Master of Science Degree in Information Systems and Data Management. In 2018, Mr. Morapedi moved to Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) where is spend 4 years as a Software Engineer, developing high end and enterprise software solutions. In March 2022, Thotobolo was called as a Solutions Developer at Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) where he later became a DevOps Software Engineer a within Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited. Mr. Morapedi co-authored and published a research paper on IEEE Xplore titled “Collaborative Open Innovation through an Open API Approach to Enable the Development of Financial Technology Infrastructure: Case of Botswana”. Financial Technology (FINTECH) is one of his areas of interest, of which he is greatly passionate about, where he would like to see interoperable digital financial services in Botswana. Thotobolo holds a BSc, (Hon) Business Computing from Staffordshire University, UK, and a certificate in FINTECH INNOVATION: DISRUPTING THE FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE, from University of Cambridge Judge Business School UK

Lone Batshegi is young Industrial Engineer with a membership in the Botswana Institution of Engineers (BIE) and registered with Engineers Registration Board (ERB). With over two years of experience as a Production Shift Leader and Production Planner at one of the largest multinational automotive manufacturing companies in the world, with a plant in Botswana, he specializes in process optimization, process planning, production planning, production scheduling, and production control. Mr. Batshegi is a proactive, visionary, and innovative young professional with an unyielding passion for problem-solving and a keen eye for detail. He continuously strives to increase his knowledge and skills, evidenced by his completion of various online professional courses, including Six Sigma Principles, Project Management basics, Leading Team, Organizational Behavior, and Operations management. Throughout his academic career, Mr. Batshegi has been actively involved in a number of extra-curricular activities, such as volunteering in Student Clubs. He served as the Treasurer of the University of Botswana Industrial Engineers Association (UBIEA) in his third year, and became the President of the same Club in his fourth year. In his fifth year, he was appointed as the President of the University of Botswana Engineers Society (UBEA), and was awarded for his exemplary leadership skills at the University of Botswana Student Leadership Awards in July 2020. Currently, Mr. Batshegi is the Chairman of the Programme, Research, Publications, and Publicity (PRPP) Committee in the BIE Council for the 2022-2024 tenure, and is the youngest member of the council. He is a young leader who is committed to utilizing his skills and expertise to serve his community and make a positive impact on society.

Yvonne B Seretse is a dynamic and ambitious engineer, specializing in quality control and measurements engineering. She received her bachelor's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, where she studied for five years. Yvonne has an impressive record of professional experience in the engineering field. In November 2019, she volunteered as a student engineer on the Ramokgwebane Border Post Sewage Infrastructure project, led by Landmark Projects Pty Ltd. She then worked as a Site Engineer for Stefanutti Stocks from February 2020 to the end of the Palapye Water Treatment Plant Project in December 2021, where she gained valuable experience in construction and project management. Yvonne continued to build on her construction experience as a Consulting Measurements Engineer with New Gen Enterprises, a leading earthworks construction company, starting in February 2022. She was then offered a contract to work as a Quality Control and Measurements Engineer for New Gen Enterprises on the Botswana Oil Limited – Truck Staging project in Gaborone, where she is currently working. Throughout her career, Yvonne has always had a passion for building and improving the lives of others. Her innate sense of social responsibility led her to become a member of the Botswana Institute of Engineers in 2017 while still a student. She has been an active member of the institute's Programmes, Research, Publications, and Publicity Committee since 2022. Yvonne has also been part of Botswana Women in Engineering since 2019, where she has gained exposure to the many exciting and rewarding aspects of engineering. Yvonne is excited to be part of the upcoming ERB Engineering Week in February and March of 2023. Through the auspices of BIE, she has been given the honour of representing her generation of engineers, who are committed to "making it happen" every day. With her drive and dedication, Yvonne is sure to make a lasting impact on the world of engineering in Botswana and beyond.

-- Carlos Kakuwa is an ERB Certified industrial and manufacturing engineer equipped with extensive skills used to evaluate the integrated systems of products, equipment and people. Passionate about industrial systems and continuous improvement, Experience with materials characterization. Mr Kakuwa's Advanced Knowledge Areas are Project management, advanced manufacturing technologies, Ergonomics, Digital drafting tools, financial engineering and maintenance engineering. Mr Kakuwa is currently an independent tutor at Lion Tutoring PTY Ltd.

Resego Tsiane is an ERB-registered engineer and the first African female mechanical engineering graduate from Saint Petersburg Mining University. She is passionate about empowering women in STEM and is interested in machine design and automation of machinery production

HERBERT KIBERU is a practicing consultant and trainer in the field of corporate strategy, project and programme management. He holds a Masters of Commerce in Project Management (MComPM) and a founder of PPM College of project and programme management www.ppmcollege.ac.bw.

Dr David Cropley is the Professor of Engineering Innovation at the University of South Australia. He specialises in helping people and organisations become better, more effective, problem solvers. Dr Cropley joined the School of Engineering at the South Australian Institute of Technology (SAIT) in 1990, after serving for four years in the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, including deployments to the Caribbean and Middle East. Following the establishment of the University in 1991, he completed a PhD in Measurement Systems Engineering in 1997, and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education in 2002. Dr Cropley has taught a variety of courses on engineering, including digital electronics, linear electronics, systems engineering, and engineering design. He teaches creativity and innovation across programs, from gifted education through to management. Dr Cropley’s research interests range across creativity in education, the assessment of creativity and innovation in organisations, the role of creativity and innovation in terrorism and crime, and the nexus of creative problem-solving and engineering. Dr Cropley is author/co-author of 10 books including Creativity and Crime: A Psychological Analysis (Cambridge University Press, 2013); Creativity in Engineering: Novel Solutions to Complex Problems (Academic Press, 2015); The Psychology of Innovation in Organizations (Cambridge University Press, 2015), and Femina Problematis Solvendis – Problem-Solving Woman: A History of the Creativity of Women (Springer, 2020).

Boykie Sebobi began his career in the mining industry more than four decades ago as an engineering apprentice. Years later he went on to study and obtained an honours degree in Engineering Technology (Mechanical) in 1997 (UK). Throughout his varied experience at different levels of responsibility, he has worked for ICI Polyurethanes (UK), Debswana mines, Majwe Mining JV, BCL Limited, and Karowe Diamond Mine. He has extensive experience in major infrastructure development projects in Botswana, including construction and manufacturing. He is currently consulting in asset management. Boykie Sebobi is a Chartered Engineer professionally registered with the Engineering Council (UK) as well as with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB). A Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional and a Certified Associate in Asset Management.

James is the Managing Consultant for Erudite Botswana (Pty) Ltd, a newly registered subsidiary of Erudite Strategies – an EPC and EPCM corporation headquartered in South Africa and servicing Africa and international markets. He is a Chemical Engineer with almost two decades chemical and ore processing experience spanning three mining companies where he held senior technical (process) and production management roles. He is competent in diamond, nickel, copper, soda ash and salt processing technologies. He holds a Master’s degree in Strategy, is a Professional Engineer (Engineers Registration Board/ Botswana), Chartered Engineer (Engineering Council/ UK), Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineer (UK) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He is passionate about business processes and process plants efficiencies/productivity optimisation, manufacturing effectiveness and development of professional engineering practice as demonstrated by his volunteering services for the ERB’s Professional Assessment and Registration committees and the IChemE’s Professional Review committee.

Eng. Benson Ncube is an Electrical Engineering and MBA graduate of the University of Zimbabwe. He did Advanced Planning of Telecommunications Projects in Germany (1996) being sponsored by Carl Duisburg Gesellschaft. He is an alumnus of United States Telecommunications (USTTI, 1996, 1998) on Next Generation Networks; an alumnus of Diplo Foundation Internet Capacity Building in 2010 and Diplo Foundation Fellowship alumni for IFG 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania and Southern African IGF 2011 in South Africa. Benson was a facilitator for the Diplo Foundation – BITS Internet Governance workshop 2010 in Gaborone, Botswana. A key role player, in initiating the discussions leading to the establishment the Southern African Internet Governance Forum. With a professional and academic background in ICT (IP, GSM, ISP, Banking, Networks Security), Benson has more than 25 years of practical experience in infrastructural architecture planning, development and management. In his career, he has worked as a Professional Engineer, Principal Engineer, Manager, General Manager, Senior Business Analyst, Consultant, COO and CTO. Currently a Business Development Manager in the private sector. In early years of his profession, he was one of the two engineers who established the modern Zimbabwe Internet Backbone that transformed Internet access to the nation. He was the first System Administrator and Technical Point of Contact for the Country Code Top-Level-Domain for Zimbabwe (ccTLD .zw). Since then, he has developed a strong affinity for Internet services and would like to see everyone having universal access for Internet (Digital) services. Because of his diligence and contributions in the ICT space he was appointed to the Research Council of Zimbabwe Board (2006-2008). He also served as a Vice Chairperson for the Informatics Standing Committee within the Council. Benson was part of the Organizing Committee for the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers’ First Symposium (2007). His passion is in research, business development, and use of technology for sustainable development and presenting in local, regional and international conferences. His last presentation was at the 22nd International Conference for Telemedicine and eHealth in Morocco. A PhD in Telemedicine Candidate due to graduate anytime from now.