Brazil Ambassador Pays Vice Chancellor Courtesy Call to Explore for Opportunities
Brazil Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Flavio Lima Rocha, paid Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, a courtesy call on January 24, 2023 to explore possible areas of collaborations on research, students and staff exchange.
Speaking at the meeting, Professor Norris said UB was going through strategic transformation process and one of the key elements included internalization. He said internalization of UB would help in collaboration and partnership with other universities and ultimately improve in research and innovation. Professor Norris said it was important to partner and learn from countries such as Brazil which even though are advanced economically had similar developmental challenges with Botswana.
He further noted that UB should seek collaborations with institutions of higher learning in Brazil and learn from them. Professor Norris also viewed agriculture as one area of possible collaboration with Brazil. Other areas are in research and innovation, noting that Brazilian universities’ contribution in instilling entrepreneurship mindset to students, job creations, sports and how the institutions contributed towards economy growth was worth replicating in Botswana.
Professor Norris also added that UB aimed to produce well rounded students hence partnership with Brazil institutions of higher learning would create an opportunity to offer Brazilian language courses for UB students to enhance their marketability.
He also viewed co-hosting Brazilian Professor at UB as another opportunity to assist in supervising post graduate students and supervisors. The Vice Chancellor also said collaboration with Brazil universities could also create opportunities for UB to upgrade their academia to PhD level.
Meanwhile, Brazil ambassador, His Excellency Mr Flavio Lima Rocha, expressed delight and looking forward to formalising partnership with UB. Mr Rocha also made assurance to assist UB in partnering with Brazilian Universities in areas of research, students exchange and staff training. He said he would help UB to coopt Brazilian Professors to assist in supervising post graduate students and PhD supervisors as well as offering Brazilian language courses.