Gagoitsiwe Alex Galebonwe

After working for more than a decade in telecommunications, Gagoitsiwe Alex Galebonwe realized that experience alone wasn’t enough to stay ahead. As the industry evolved and new talent entered the field, he saw the need to keep growing, and that led him to level up with EIT.

This article features Gagoitsiwe Alex Galebonwe, an experienced telecommunications maintenance technician from Botswana, and his journey of continuous growth in engineering through EIT.

An Industry Veteran

In technical fields, work often goes beyond routine tasks and becomes a continuous process of learning and problem-solving.

For Gagoitsiwe Alex Galebonwe, engineering has always been more than just a job. It is a field that connects directly to everyday life and offers constant opportunities for growth and learning. With over 14 years in the telecommunications industry, Alex has built a solid career focused on installing, maintaining, and supporting internet services for both individuals and businesses. His work requires both technical expertise and quick problem-solving, especially in fast-paced service environments. When asked about his role in the industry, he shares: “I am a maintenance technician in telecommunications, installation, and customer services in Botswana. I install and maintain internet services for individuals and businesses, and I am currently with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, where I’ve been working for 14 years. I will be retiring in my 15th year with the company.”

Before taking on his current role in telecommunications, Alex’s journey included both industry and academia, giving him a well-rounded foundation in electrical engineering and teaching experience. When asked about his background before joining Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, Alex explains: “I completed a diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Botswana. After that, I worked for four years as an electrical lecturer at a technical college. From there, I moved into the telecommunications field, where I’ve been working ever since.” For Alex, each stage of his career added value to his technical growth, and that shaped how he approaches problem-solving in the field today.

Why EIT was the Right Fit

In most professional journeys, growth often comes from identifying opportunities to upskill while managing existing responsibilities.

As Alex looked for ways to continue growing in his career while balancing full-time work, he began searching for a learning pathway that was both flexible and relevant to his field. In this search, EIT stood out as an institution that could support his professional experience while helping him adapt to a fast-changing industry. With years of hands-on experience already behind him, Alex saw further study not just to gain another qualification, but as an opportunity to strengthen his technical foundation and refresh his knowledge for the demands of modern engineering.

His introduction to EIT came through a colleague who had already explored its programs and recommended it as a strong option for working engineers. When asked how he came across EIT, Alex explained: “My colleague told me about EIT and its advanced diplomas. We decided to take industrial automation for we wanted to automate systems in our current firm.”

Beyond this, his decision was also influenced by the experiences of other learners, particularly the success stories he had seen from EIT graduates. When asked why he chose EIT, Alex shares: “I looked at the student success stories, and I saw there are a lot of students from Botswana who graduated with EIT and they were doing very well in the engineering industry. So that’s what inspired me to enroll in EIT. There are a lot of exciting stories of students from all over the world about EIT.” This combination of experience, influence, and opportunity led Alex to choose EIT as the right step for his continued growth.

Learning That Drives Progress

In engineering, growth comes from continuous upskilling and staying adaptable.

When asked why he chose to pursue an 52886WA Advanced Diploma in Industrial Automation Engineering at EIT, Alex explains: “I wanted to take an Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation Engineering because I could see that I like electrical engineering, which is focused on electrical systems. Also, I wanted to grow for when you’ve been in the workplace for quite some time and you see younger workers coming in with better qualifications, you start to feel insecure. So, you need to equip yourself to stay relevant – and that also was one of my motivations.” His decision to study with EIT was also influenced by the flexibility of its learning model, which allows him to balance work and study effectively while applying what he learns directly in his job.

Beyond motivation, the structure of EIT’s learning model also played a key role in his decision, especially as someone balancing full-time employment and study. Alex highlights the flexibility of the online format, along with resources such as remote labs and the e-library, which allow him to learn at his own pace while still applying concepts directly in the workplace. This approach has also shaped his long-term plans. Alex shares that the learning experience has encouraged him to consider progressing further within EIT, potentially moving on to a Bachelor’s degree and eventually a Master’s program. For him, the study model makes continued progression realistic while still managing work responsibilities. “I find the study model exciting. We have remote labs, the e-library – so everything is there. You can work at your own pace, which made me enjoy studying my Advanced Diploma. That inspired me to keep going with my studies with EIT.” This positive learning experience has not only strengthened his engagement with the program but also encouraged him to apply what he learns more confidently in his day-to-day work.

Learning in Practice

One of the key advantages of studying while working is the ability to immediately apply new knowledge to real-world situations.

For Alex, one of the most valuable aspects of studying with EIT is how directly knowledge applies to his work. With years of field experience already behind him, he finds that the program helps improve how he approaches real operational challenges. When asked about challenges in his current role and how his studies have helped, Alex explains: “In my current role as an installation maintenance technician, one of the key challenges is managing situations where customers are not fully satisfied with our services. In these cases, it is important to resolve issues as quickly and efficiently as possible to maintain trust and service quality. My education with EIT has helped me in that aspect, as many of the systems we use in our work were covered during my studies, which gave me a strong technical foundation to draw from. Because of this, I am now able to resolve customer issues remotely, which reduces the need for on-site visits. This approach helps deliver a better experience for our customers.” This growing confidence in applying what he learns has also encouraged Alex to take a more active role beyond his studies.

Becoming an EIT Student Ambassador

Beyond his technical growth and academic progress, Alex also took on a more active role within the EIT community as a Student Ambassador. For him, this was a natural extension of his learning journey, allowing him to share his experience and support others who are considering further studies while working. When asked why he chose to become an ambassador, Alex explains that it comes from a desire to encourage fellow professionals to upskill and to show that it is possible to balance work, study, and personal commitments while still progressing in engineering. He also shares how he manages these responsibilities alongside his personal life: “It takes a lot to handle, but my family is very supportive. They understand when I need space to study.” At 47 years old, Alex is happily married with two sons, and he credits his family’s support as a key factor in successfully managing work, study, and life commitments.