The Pan Afrikanist Watchman

Gaborone, Botswana – The University of Botswana (UB) is today (28^th November 2023) hosting a breakfast meeting at Chobe Marina Lodge, in Kasane.

Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris will use the opportunity to address stakeholders on the role of the University’s Development Agenda.

The breakfast meeting is part of a series of stakeholder engagement events that the University is wrapping up the year with in Kasane and Letlhakane from the 27th of November to the 1st of December 2023.

A total of 100 stakeholders consisting of District Council, District Commissioner, Tribal Administration, Civil Society, Government Entities, Business Partners, Parastatals, Education, Farmers and Media will be invited to the Business Breakfast Seminars.

A Youth Summit facilitated by Faculty of Business – Entrepreneurship and Business Clinic in collaboration with MYGSC, LEA & CEDA will host a total of 100 out of school youth.

This initiative aligns with the University’s strategic goal of Enhancing Economic and Societal Engagement and Impact. A statement from Dr. Faith Rapuleng-Tuelo, the Director of Public Affairs says that the activities will entail address by the Vice Chancellor to Full Councils in both Kasane and Letlhakane, Breakfast Seminars, Youth Seminars, Career Fairs and In-Service staff addresses.

The aim is to foster collaboration and share valuable insights with stakeholders, focusing on knowledge exchange, showcasing research outputs, and promoting the University’s services and products that can significantly benefit communities in the Kasane and Letlhakane areas.

The University delegation, comprising representatives from Public Affairs, Academic Services, Faculty Administration, Centre for Continuing Education, Career Services, and Entrepreneurship units will actively participate in these engagements to ensure a diverse and impactful interaction with stakeholders.

The engagements in Kasane and Letlhakane will include informative sessions, direct dialogues, and visits to local institutions with the aim of strengthening linkages between the University and its stakeholders.

These stakeholder engagements underscore the University’s dedication to nurturing collaboration and knowledge-sharing, catalysing positive societal impact besides continuing its legacy as a beacon of higher education in Botswana.

On the 29th of November 2023, the Vice Chancellor will address Chobe Full Council meeting in Kasane while another UB team will be in Letlhakane where CCE staff will address in-service employees at the Rural Administration Centre (RAC) on courses offered by the Centre followed by a Youth Summit on Entrepreneurship and Business Clinic hosted by the Faculty of Business in collaboration with LEA, CEDA and MYSC at the Letlhakane Community Hall.

On the 30th of November 2023, Prof. Norris and his team will address a breakfast meeting at Teemane Select Hotel followed by a tour of the Orapa Mine in the afternoon. The Vice Chancellor and his team will wrap up the stakeholder engagement activities with an address to the Boteti Full Council on the 1st of December 2023.

Activities commenced in the morning on the 27th of November 2023 with a tour of the Pandamatenga farms by the Executive Management Team while staff from the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) addressed in-service staff on part-time and distance learning courses at the Rural Administration Centre (RAC) in Kasane.

In the afternoon of the same day, the Department of Academic Services addressed Form One and Two students at Chobe Community Junior School, while the Faculty of Business staff hosted Youth Entrepreneurship Summit as well as an Entrepreneurship and Business Clinic at Plateau Kgotla in collaboration with Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Citizen Economic Development Agency (CEDA) and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC).

Other speakers from UB included Dr Susan Keitumetse who addressed the topic of Sustainability in the Tourism Sector while Rudolf Boy spoke on Nurturing a Conducive Business Eco-system. Onneetse Ndadi presented on the Role of the UB Business Clinic.

The activities are livestreamed on the University of Botswana social media platforms.

About the University of Botswana:

The University of Botswana is a leading institution of higher learning in Botswana, committed to providing quality education, research, and service to the nation and beyond. The University seeks to improve economic and social conditions for advancing itself as a distinctively African university with regional and international outlook.