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Chairman of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone, has highlighted the University of Botswana's (UB) remarkable journey, noting that from its humble beginnings, the University has evolved into a significant institution deeply embedded in Botswana's development agenda.

Kgosi Gaborone was speaking at a gathering organised on 25th January 2024 to brief members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi on various research initiatives and services that the University was undertaking to contribute to the country’s development processes.

Reflecting on the Botswana University Campus Appeal (BUCA), commonly known as Motho le Motho Kgomo fundraising campaign, Kgosi Gaborone expressed satisfaction that the sacrifices made by Batswana, who generously donated cattle to build the University of Botswana, were not in vain.

He indicated that the University had grown significantly both in stature and infrastructure, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping and advancing the country’s developmental objectives.

In addition, Kgosi Gaborone noted the University's transformative agenda, highlighting a shift from being solely teaching and learning institutions. As part of the country’s leadership, he said their desire was to see UB becoming more responsive to the needs and aspirations of Batswana.

He added that the University of Botswana must continually strive to stay relevant and align with the ever-changing global agenda in order to effectively address emerging challenges. Consequently, UB must continually strive to produce global competitive Batswana graduates to help advance the development agenda of their country.  

Kgosi Gaborone urged the University of Botswana to work closely and in partnership with Dikgosi and introduce programmes aimed at enhancing their capacities in various aspects of leadership and management. He emphasised that capacity building for Dikgosi was crucial for the preservation of the institution of bogosi.

Meanwhile, members were taken on a guided tour of the Gaborone UB campus to witness firsthand the university's research initiatives addressing societal needs and challenges. The tour included visits to the Faculty of Science, where they received insights into vaccine development, and the Faculty of Medicine, where they learned about UB's initiatives contributing to the enhancement of the country's healthcare delivery system. They also learnt about the production of biodiesel at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology which highlights the UB's contribution to Botswana's green energy initiatives.