News

The University of Botswana (UB) and Jindal Resources Botswana have embarked on a transformative partnership to advance human capital development in Botswana. The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 4th of December 2024 at the UB Council Chamber. The agreement paves the way for a strategic initiative to nurture UB graduates into highly skilled, industry-ready professionals.

Jindal Resources Botswana, a multinational giant specialising in steel, coal, mining and power plant engineering, recently acquired a license to operate a coal mine and power plant in Mmamabula. As part of its commitment to local capacity building, the company identified UB graduates as key contributors to its operations.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Jindal's Country Representative, Mr Neeraj Saxena, underlined the importance of incorporating Batswana into such transformative projects. “A newly graduated student is like a blank canvas. Our responsibility at Jindal Resources is to train, hone and instil essential industry competencies,” he said.

Mr Saxena revealed that eleven (11) graduates from UB’s October 2024 Graduation Ceremony had been selected for induction into the company, with the MoU formalising this collaborative vision.

UB Chief Operations Officer, Mr Dawid Katzke, announced that the shortlisted graduates would begin their career training in January 2025. He added that Jindal Resources, in partnership with UB’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), planned to induct top-performing graduates annually to ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals.

FET Dean, Professor Edward Dintwa, elaborated on the scope of the agreement which focuses on recruiting graduates in science and technology disciplines. These include computer science, information technology and engineering fields such as mechanical, electrical, electronics, telecommunications, mineral mining and civil engineering. He noted that the collaboration not only facilitated graduate placement but also held potential for curriculum development to meet industry demands.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire, lauded the partnership as a model for bridging academia and industry. “This collaboration is about creating ‘graduates fit for purpose,’ fostering innovation and research while generating socio-economic impact for Botswana,” she said.

In his closing remarks, FET Deputy Dean, Dr Olefile Molwane, said he was happy to see the culmination of long-standing deliberations. “This MoU marks the beginning of new opportunities for both UB graduates and the broader community,” he said, underlining its potential to unlock further collaborations.