Civil Engineering
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Mark, M. (University of Botswana, http://ub.bw, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Botswana is facing one of its greatest development challenges at the moment. It is facing an HIV/AIDS pandemic of immense proportions. It is among the countries in the world that have been hard hit by this scourge. A lot of stakeholders including government, private companies, international donor agencies, and civil society have come up with interventions to respond to challenge of fighting this pandemic. Among the key players in this fight against HIV/AIDS are civil society organizations, commonly known as NGOs. These organizations play a crucial role of bringing HIV/AIDS services to the communities where the other players may not reach or may not be effective. The services the NGOs offer to communities are normally delivered as projects. Effective monitoring and evaluation of projects is usually one of the ingredients of good project performance and provides means of accountability, demonstrating transparency to the stakeholders and facilitates organizational learning for benefit of future projects. This study sought to determine how effectively the HIV/AIDS projects implemented by Gaborone based local NGOs are monitored and evaluated. The study investigated the monitoring and evaluation practices of the NGOs and compared them with the best practices. It also sought to identify the challenges the NGOs faced in carrying out this function. Data for the study was collected using the descriptive survey method where a questionnaire was administered to project managers and monitoring and evaluation officials of the NGOs. The results of the study show that most of the NGOs (66.7%) were implementing Behavioral Change Communication projects. The study also determined that the monitoring and evaluation practices of the local NGOs fell short of the best practices. Most of the best practices were inconsistently done and others were not done at all. Planning for monitoring and evaluation was inadequately done and inconsistently by respondents. Implementing the monitoring and evaluation process was not effectively done by the respondents. The study also identified quite a number of challenges the NGOs faced in carrying out monitoring and evaluation of the projects they faced. These challenges made it hard for the NGOs to effectively monitor and evaluate the projects they implemented. The most significant ones included; inadequate finances, lack of expertise, stringent and multi-donor reporting requirements, lack of baseline data. The study made some recommendations in order to mitigate the challenges faced by the NGOs. The study found out that, all in all the projects implemented by the local NGOs were not effectively monitored and evaluated. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/991 Files in this item: 1
Mark-MEPC_2007.pdf (7.970Mb) -
Kanyeto, O.J.; Fried, A.N. (Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, April NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: The paper aims to compare predictions by different methods of analysis of the lateral load capacity of unreinforced masonry walls, and to determine whether a relationship can be drawn between theory and experiments. Several analysis methods were employed to predict failure loads of a number of wall panels, and the results were compared with test values. It is concluded that boundary conditions play a major role in the accuracy of analytical methods. When the boundary conditions assumed in the analysis most nearly match the real conditions of the test panels, predictions are most accurate. The authors conclude that finding a rational analysis and design procedure for laterally loaded masonry walls is possible. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/890 Files in this item: 1
Kanyeto_BJT_2011.pdf (1.581Mb) -
Malumbela, G.; Sebusang, N. (Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, April NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Concrete is the widely used construction material worldwide. Therefore, for structural safety as well as to provide economic design, it is essential to understand well, its performance. Whilst in most developed countries extensive research has been done to characterise concrete, little is known about the performance of concrete in Botswana. This paper reviews previous work carried out in other countries to assess performance of their concrete. Focus is on influence of aggregate type. It is shown from the review that there is great need to study influence of aggregate on performance of concrete in Botswana, particularly comprehensive strength. A brief description of the needed research is outlined. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/889 Files in this item: 1
Malumbela_BJT_2011.pdf (934.5Kb) -
Mwewa, W.L. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The demand for adequate training of artisans and apprentices in the construction industry cannot be over emphasized in view of the rapid changes the industry is undergoing. Many of of these changes are continously taking place especially in the areas of utilization and maintainability of construction materials. The local vocational institutions should vigorously embark on reviewing the vocational education and training. This will result in the supply of cadres with acceptible quality of training in order to meet the challenges of the building industry. In spite of the ten years of involvement by the local vocational institutions in the training of artisans and apprentices there is still shortage of skilled manpower. The aim of the paper, therefore, is to assess the relevance of the vocational training programs and the trends of output of artisans and apprentices trained before and after the second construction boom from boom from 1986 to 1990 and 1992 to 1996. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/882 Files in this item: 1
Mwewa_BJT_1999.pdf (1.091Mb) -
Ssegawa, J.K.; Masambaji, C.N. (Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, April NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: To deliver project effectively is of paramount importance because most of the world population depend on services delivered by projects. Reports from various countries around the world, including Botswana, still indicate poor project delivery. Several causes may be advanced including ineffective project control. Devising means to alleviate the control problem is therefore, of great importance. Scholars and practitioners have suggested various techniques that monitor and keep track of projects. One of them is the earned value analysis(EVA) which touted by many as an efficient yet effective control system because of its ability to control scope, cost and time. Based on this premise, the study reported in this paper investigated possible use of EVA in building projects in Botswana. The investigation was two fold, firstly, through a questionnaire, quantity surveyors (QSs) were requested to indicate whether they have use the EVA on any building project in Botswana. Results from this survey indicated that EVA is not used at all in Botswana. In fact, majority (63%) of the QSs have not heard of the system before. The second phase of the study investigated its possible use, that is, if using EVA is more adventageous than the convectional control method (CCM). Results indicated that EVA system provide quality information that was well structured, more objective, and easily accessible to all key stakeholders in a timely and understandable manner. However, to use EVA system several challenges were also indentified which included firstly, the need to train the key players in the EVA technique.; the need to change the project regime from arms-length to a cooperative on to allow transfer and sharing of information in the design and construction phases of a project; increasing the use of IT; completing design before tendering even for other trades; and nominating sub-contractors as soon as the main contract is appointed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/875 Files in this item: 1
Ssegawa_BJT_2011.pdf (2.489Mb)