Gaborone, 5 February 2026 — Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, Vice Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), has urged a radical transformation of higher education in Botswana, calling for the integration of natural sciences and the humanities to address complex societal challenges.
Speaking at the “Lecture and Panel Discussion: Bridging Worlds: The Interface Between Natural Sciences and Liberal Arts in Higher Education” hosted at the Centre for International and Continuing Education (CICE), Professor Mosepele described the event as a “seismic paradigm shift” in BUAN’s academic landscape.
Building Intellectual Bridges
“Where science meets humanity: building bridges for holistic education makes me smile,” he said, noting that while BUAN is known for building physical bridges in agriculture and natural resources, the evening’s dialogue was about building intellectual ones.
He emphasized that contemporary challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and human-wildlife conflict demand systems thinking and transdisciplinary approaches. “Producing scientists in agriculture alone will not build the Botswana we want,” he cautioned. “Our graduates must also be critical thinkers, ethical experts, and effective communicators.”
Lessons from History
Tracing the evolution of university curricula from medieval scholasticism to the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution, Professor Mosepele highlighted how the separation of sciences and humanities created gaps in knowledge. He argued that reconnecting these disciplines is essential for holistic education and for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
BUAN’s Commitments
Professor Mosepele outlined three commitments for BUAN’s future:
- Curriculum Renewal: Embedding transdisciplinarity and exposing academics to the humanities.
- Interdisciplinary Pedagogy: Addressing issues like land degradation and water scarcity through integrated approaches.
- Societal Relevance: Ensuring BUAN remains responsive and intentionally relevant by bridging knowledge areas and embedding humanities into its curriculum.
He further announced plans to expand BUAN’s programs beyond agriculture and natural resources into journalism, law, policy, and the arts, positioning the university as inclusive and transformative.
Power Skills for Impact
Quoting the Andrew Mellon Foundation, Professor Mosepele underscored the importance of humanities-driven “power skills” such as persuasive communication, teamwork, and critical analysis. “We need these skills in our higher education institutions to be impactful and relevant. We need them at BUAN,” he affirmed.
A Call to Action
In closing, Professor Mosepele thanked keynote speaker Dr. Molosiwa, panelists, and moderators for their contributions, and encouraged colleagues to “be bold and imaginative” in reimagining pedagogy. “To be a transformative university involves taking a leap of faith. Let us take it,” he urged.
The evening’s discussions, he said, should inspire new partnerships, research ideas, and learning programs, marking the genesis of a transformed BUAN committed to holistic education and national development.
(C) TPA2026
