The newly inaugurated University of Botswana Chancellor who is also the Vice President of Botswana, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has promised to work closely with management to transform UB into a world class institution of higher learning.
Mr Masisi was speaking at his inauguration as the fourth Chancellor of the University of Botswana in a ceremony that preceded the 35th Joint Graduation Ceremony of the University of Botswana and Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the UB Stadium on October 14, 2017.
“As I take over the responsibilities of this office, I count on your commitment, energy and support to turn this University around into one of the very best in the world,” disclosed Mr Masisi.
Mr Masisi acknowledged that he was taking over as Chancellor at a time when UB was facing multiple challenges, amongst them emerging and fierce competition for resources, funding and retention of world class staff. “I shall, no doubt, muster the will to overcome these challenges,” he noted.
It is against this background that Mr Masisi reiterated Government’s commitment to seeing UB thrive as an icon that resonated with the history and culture of Batswana. Consequently, he said it was his desire that at the end of his tenure as the Chancellor, there should be tangible results pertaining UB’s contribution to Botswana’s transformation as espoused in Vision 2036.
Mr Masisi said Vision 2036’s transformational agenda was to see Botswana move from an upper middle-income country to a high income country by 2036. Therefore, he said that was what he saw as his assignment as he assumed the role of chancellor.
He noted that UB should not only be a place where great minds met but should also serve as a platform for discovery and innovation. Mr Masisi said UB’s vision to be a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and the world should form the starting point of its transformation. Such, he added, was also a critical step towards contributing to transformation at national level.
“I commit myself to working closely with the University of Botswana Council in providing the necessary governance and strategic support that this institution needs,” said the Chancellor.
Acting UB Vice Chancellor, Professor Kgomotso Moahi, said the UB community was grateful to have the Vice President serve as the Chancellor. “We are proud that among other national duties, he will be leading a prestigious institution that the University of Botswana is,” said Professor Moahi.