Staff Writer 
MINISTER OF TERTIARY EDUCATION LAUNCHES BYTE SIZE COLLEGE HEAD OFFICE (MAIN CAMPUS)
ust two weeks before all Learning Institutions were ordered to close by a directive from the government in an effort to curb the spread COVID-19, the Hon Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science & Technology, Hon Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe officially launched a new campus of Byte Size College at African mall in Gaborone.
The event took place on the 6th of March 2020. During the occasion, it was revealed that Byte Size College is a home grown institution that started off from humble beginnings as a private tuition centre in computer skills while operating from a house (a BHC house where now there is Bank Gaborone) in the main mall (2002). It was started by Mr. Godfrey Mwewa and his wife Mrs. Kutlo Mwewa. The institution started off with only 2 clients, and these were employees from PEB Botswana.
Private tuition clients (mainly the working class) increased from 2 to 10. With this amazing growth, the founders relocated the tuition services from the house to a more corporate environment. When these private clients increased, a caravan was rented in the main mall, behind Barclays Bank (along queens’ road). According to the founders, this was the turning point of good things to come and thus when the thought came of formalizing the institution by registering it with the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA). This happened in 2005.
As more interest in the institution continued to grow amongst many stakeholders, more workers were employed in Lecturing and Administration (Today the institution employs more than 40 Batswana) Management therefore decided to accredit other courses in various fields rather than just Computer skills. At this point, courses like Human Resource Management, Business Management, Travel Tourism and Hospitality and Secretarial studies were offered under international bodies. This decision also meant that the institution was supposed to move to a much more spacious place hence the college moved to Kohinoor House along Independence Avenue near Red Cross. The college continued to experience growth and decided to move premises again. This time the college premises were at a more convenient place in the main mall next to French Embassy and near Central Police.
The college management continued to introduce more courses this time around it was locally accredited courses that included Occupational Health and Safety, Early Childhood Development and Education, Public Health and Security Management. Byte Size College is now one of the Institutions that have built their own premises without government sponsored students. The Institution has been running certificate courses and recently have now been accredited to run Diploma courses.
The event, held to celebrate a milestone achievement and showcase the brand new campus comprised various speakers from the education sector. Byte Size College is now a reputable 100% citizen owned Institution offering quality education in Botswana, recognized and accredited with the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA). The institution has been running for 15 years now.
The institution has a long, impressive and inspiring track record of producing a wide range of graduates in many fields who have greatly excelled in life. It currently consists of three branches namely: Palapye, Letlhakane and Gaborone (recently completed construction of the main campus in African mall). The College has grown in leaps and bounds to offer various market relevant courses. Over the years the institution has contributed to community empowerment by giving back to Batswana. In the last two years, Byte Size offered more than 30 scholarships to various churches and the elderly people in Letlhakane village to learn computers operations skills.
Byte Size College is the first tertiary institution to set-up a campus in Boteti and has established itself as a college that serves the communities it operates in, with a long term dream to be the school of choice for corporate and individuals who desire to acquire quality education. The College also contributed to the successful Business Skills Training sessions and workshops (Beneficiaries for the government flagship poverty eradication programme) in collaboration with the Boteti Sub-District Council. This training was personalized to all participants and made-to-measure to specific scenarios that fit the needs of the participants in rural Botswana.
Byte Size College has made significant strides in increasing participation in training and skills development among learners in rural areas and owing to that, they regularly collaborate with government to train and up-skill civil servants as well as assist vulnerable members of the society with their discounted scholarships.
The Board Chairperson of Byte Size College Mr. Moses Mateise said “the institution has taken education to the door steps of many Batswana (By so doing we appeal to the government to support our initiative by simply giving us government sponsored students. By opening branches in villages, the institution is also helping in decongesting urban areas that will soon be hampered by street vending” He also thanked the Minister for leaving his busy schedule and come to support an upcoming local college with a difference.
The minister in his remarks said “My government stands ready to support institutions like Byte Size that see the need to exist in rural areas where no other tertiary institution has a foot print to cater for the rural demographic”. He called on The Byte Size College management to consider opening a branch in Tonota where he is a member of Parliament. Today in 2020 Byte Size has branches in most parts of Botswana such as Gaborone, Letlhakane and Palapye. This is a sincere effort to support government’s objective to ensure education for all and to increase skills development. “It is against this background that I saw it fit to be present here today. I’m absolutely proud to launch this new campus, and I hope Byte Size College shall help my government in its quest to achieve a ‘knowledge based’ society’ and thus a ‘knowledge based economy’ for the betterment of our people in today’s competitive world. My government is therefore proud to be part of this official launch and campus opening. In closing I would like encourage prospective students to study at this great College, I’m sure information will be availed on the various courses they have on offer at Byte Size. I urge Batswana to rally behind this college in all its events and future endeavors.