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The study investigated factors influencing how the curriculum is implemented in accredited private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Botswana.

The study investigated factors influencing curriculum implementation in accredited private universities (PUs) operating in a highly regulated higher education environment in Botswana. A total of six PUs which have been operating in Botswana for at least five years were purposively selected for the study. The mixed methods approach was used in the study. From the six PUs, a sample of 306 lecturers was selected from a population of 1,500 lecturers using stratified random sampling strategy for the quantitative phase of the study, and 25 academic middle managers (AMMs) were also selected from a population of 273 academic middle managers using purposive sampling strategy for the qualitative phase. A structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide were used for data collection. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to test the reliability and validity of the measurements. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis were used for quantitative data analysis, while a meta-aggregative approach was used for analysing qualitative data. Results showed that educational level, characteristics of the curriculum, of the institution and of the external environment had a significant influence on how curriculum is implemented in PUs in Botswana, while gender, age and years of teaching experience did not have a significant influence. These results have implications on educational policy formulation by regulatory authorities as well as practice in universities for the purpose of enhancing curriculum implementation.

Results showed that educational level, characteristics of the curriculum, of the institution and of the external environment had a significant influence on how the curriculum is implemented in PUs in Botswana, while gender, age and years of teaching experience did not have a significant influence.

Data were collected from lecturers in accredited private higher education institutions in Botswana only which limited the scope of insight into challenges facing accredited private institutions. Future research needs to expand the scope and consider private both private and public higher education institutions in Botswana and beyond so that more insight on the factors affecting curriculum implementation in higher education institutions can be established and appropriate policies and processes could be put in place for effective curriculum implementation.

The study provides insight into challenges affecting curriculum implementation in higher education institutions and how regulatory authorities, institutional authorities and lecturers can contribute to effective curriculum implementation in these institutions.

The study offers an opportunity for higher education institutions to implement the curriculum in a manner that satisfies its primary customers who are the students by taking cognizance of and satisfying factors that contribute to effective curriculum implementation.

There is no study known to the researcher that has been conducted on factors affecting curriculum implementation in accredited private universities in Botswana. This study, therefore, is an eye-opener on such factors and what actions regulatory authorities, institutional management and lecturers should take to promote effective implementation of the curriculum in higher education institutions in Botswana.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate challenges faced by and opportunities open to women entrepreneurs in Botswana and how entrepreneurship education can boost their knowledge and skills of doing business profitably and contribute to women empowerment.

In total, 400 women entrepreneurs of different ages, educational levels and from trades and different geographical locations were selected using a stratified random sampling procedure to participate in the study from ten towns and cities in the country. A structured questionnaire that used a five-point Likert scale was used for data collection. One-way ANOVA, regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used as tools for data analysis.

Findings showed that women entrepreneurs faced a complex web of challenges among which were access to finance, lack of training leading to lack of technical skills, lack of knowledge of sources of financing and technical support, high competition in the market, marginalisation of women and lack of knowledge of marketing strategies. The key findings were that while women entrepreneurs faced a number of challenges, the legal and regulatory environment in Botswana was highly conducive and supportive of women entrepreneurship and also that customised entrepreneurship education and training offered opportunities for women entrepreneurs to enhance their knowledge and technical skills.

The study only used a quantitative approach to collect data. It could have perhaps been more enriching if a mixed-methods approach were used to help probe the participants more. The study also only used women entrepreneurs in cities and towns. Perhaps, it could have also got some women entrepreneurs from rural areas to hear what they say. These limitations will be addressed in future studies.

Practical implications of the study are that women entrepreneurs need more training in business entrepreneurship for them to gain more knowledge and skills; finance houses become more accommodating to women entrepreneurship they could help in the empowerment of these people as they show potential in their businesses; and if more pro-women entrepreneurship policies are developed, they could enhance the activities of women entrepreneurs.

Women can perform as much as men in business if given the necessary support.

This study contributes to the body of knowledge on women entrepreneurship as it helped expose challenges women entrepreneurs face as well as opportunities for them to take advantage of and improve their business operations.

With technology advances, metallic implants claim to improve the quality and durability of human life. In the recent decade, Ti-6Al-4V biomaterial has been additively manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM) for orthopedic applications. This paper aims to provide state-of-the-art on mechanobiology of these fabricated components.

A literature review has been done to explore the potential of SLM fabricated Ti-6Al-4V porous lattice structures (LS) as bone substitutes. The emphasize was on the effect of process parameters and porosity on mechanical and biological properties. The papers published since 2007 were considered here. The keywords used to search were porous Ti-6Al-4V, additive manufacturing, metal three-dimensional printing, osseointegration, porous LS, SLM, in vitro and in vivo.

The properties of SLM porous biomaterials were compared with different human bones, and bulk SLM fabricated Ti-6Al-4V structures. The comparison was also made between LS with different unit cells to find out whether there is any particular design that can mimic the human bone functionality and enhance osseointegration.

The implant porosity plays a crucial role in mechanical and biological characteristics that relies on the optimum controlled process variables and design attributes. It was also indicated that although the mechanical strength (compressive and fatigue) of porous LS is not mostly close to natural cortical bone, elastic modulus can be adjusted to match that of cortical or cancellous bone. Porous Ti-6Al-4V provide favorable bone formation. However, the effect of design variables on biological behavior cannot be fully conclusive as few studies have been dedicated to this.