Effective Transportation Technology Transfer Operations for Economic Development in Botswana Adewole S. Oladele Transportation Technology Transfer Unit, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana adewole.oladele@mopipi.ub.bw Keywords: Transportation, economic development, technology transfer, Botswana Abstract. Technology Transfer (T 2 ) centres have emerged in many countries all over the world as effective agents and catalyst for improvements in disseminating experiences, technologies, best practices and innovations. There is a generally perceived link between the state of development of a country's transportation systems and the extent of technology usage and availability of technical information in that country. To keep the pace with the new technologies, the transportation sector needs information and knowledge that will enable it to advance their processes, incorporate new products into existing programmes, and increase technical know-how that produces positive change and economic development. This paper intended to discuss the innovative strategies adopted in operating transportation technology transfer centre in Botswana. Strategies adopted to achieve the objective were establishing and maintaining a transportation database and website accessible by transportation engineering professionals; publishing and disseminating quarterly T 2 newsletter; hosting 6th Africa T 2 conference; identifying training programs for the stakeholders. In conclusion, the paper highlighted the outcome of operating T 2 centre to enhance transportation through effective technology transfer operations for economic development in Botswana. Introduction 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. It becomes incumbent upon road engineers to gain from the technology transfer developments of colleagues rather than “re-inventing the wheel" or making the same mistakes that others have made. In other words, the extent and efficiency of a country’s technology transfer system could reveal the extent of that country’s development. There has been recognition that informal sharing of experiences may no longer be the best approach to improve road transportation as the travel demands of modern society have increased exponentially. Technology transfer in the transportation sector is aimed at using the benefits of someone else’s successful research, development or experience to benefit roads locally – often at a fraction of the original development cost [1]. Technology Transfer Centre activities may vary from country to country. The primary objective is to systematically and actively facilitate acquisition and dissemination of technology, practice and policy knowledge and know-how that is relevant to a local operating transportation environment. Technology transfer is defined by [1] as the process of openly gaining and freely sharing experiences, workable solutions, technologies, and innovations. It has been emphasized by [2] that technology transfer occurs in many ways and different forms. Technology transfer happens at its simplest form, when someone reads about a “new” technique in a report or a technical magazine from another place. The basic operations of technology transfer centres include: (i) Information dissemination through a local newsletter (ii) Local and regional training workshops, seminars and conferences, (iii) Personnel exchanges, (iv) Introducing internet access and other modern information technologies, (v) Twinning with a key US State, (vi) Establishing information and program links with other technology centres Technology transfer operations were described by [3] as a process of developing appropriate technology transfer mechanisms and activities ( newsletters and fact sheets; technical reports; news releases; journal and magazine articles; electronic bulletin boards); conveying well quantified success stories highlighting benefits over competing alternatives; carrying out well designed field Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 505-506 (2014) pp 493-496 © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.505-506.493 All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP, www.ttp.net. (ID: 168.167.93.245-10/01/14,19:26:28)