News

University of Botswana (UB) in collaboration with European Union (EU) recently hosted the first Youth Mobility Cluster Meeting at UB Conference Centre to introduce African Scholars to diverse EU high education programmes in Africa and facilitate dialogue with the programme managers.

The initiative encourages cooperation in higher education and skills development while bolstering regional and continental harmonisation mechanisms. It also aims to position Africa as a desirable study destination. Members of the diplomatic community who graced the event included United State of America (USA) Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Oliver Lin Justiniano, French Ambassador, His Excellency Oliver Brochenin and African Union Commission representative, Ms Sophia Ashipala.

In his welcome remarks, UB Chief Operations Officer (COO), Mr Dawid Katzke, highlighted the University's active participation in various EU- Funded programmes aimed at enhancing its academic, research, and networking capabilities. He noted that these programmes had facilitated collaboration with European partner universities, enabling the exchange of knowledge, expertise and resources.

Mr Kartzke said the University was involved in the Erasmus+ programme, which supported international cooperation in higher education, fostering mobility and partnerships as well as promoting skills development among students and staff.

Mr Katzke stated that UB recently joined the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme as a partner in the project "Towards Enhancing Sustainable and Innovative Environmental Change Solutions" (TESIECS). The initiative aims at improving the capacities of staff in teaching, training and developing new cohorts of postgraduates in climate change and social and environmental justice.

Mr Katzke said UB had also been engaged in projects under the European Union's Horizon 2020, a research and innovation funding initiative focusing on issues such as climate change, renewable energy and sustainable development.

He said through such collaborations, the UB continued to enhance its global standing and impact, contributing to the AU-EU agenda for research and education excellence.

EU Ambassador to Botswana, Her Excellency Petra Pereyra, said European Union gave EU/African Union summit investment package for connecting the world with investors and partnerships to tackle global challenges together. She also said by 2027, EU aimed to mobilise EUR150 billion for investment in Africa’s digital, energy and transport, infrastructure, human capital development and on youth.

Ms Pereyra further noted that in 2022, EU launched Youth Mobility for Africa Flagship initiative worth EUR970 million. She said the Youth Mobility for Africa Flagship unified existing and new EU-funded programmes and promoted corporation between the EU and African Union, member states and stakeholders.

Ms Pereyra said the initiative aimed at harmonising efforts, enhancing collaboration and providing a common platform for policy discussions as well as fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.