News

University of Botswana (UB) Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, has urged staff in the five (5) departments reporting directly to his office to raise the bar in performance and fully embrace a culture of excellence in work delivery.

The staff members were drawn from the departments of Compliance and Legal Services, Procurement Oversight, Data Protection, Corporate Services and Internal Audit. Professor Norris’ central message was anchored on the need for efficiency, accountability and results-oriented performance within the newly restructured institution.

He made the remarks at the start of a series of engagement meetings with staff following the University’s transition into a High-Performance Organisation (HPO). He set the context for the restructuring exercise, noting that while it was not an easy process, it was necessary to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the University.

Professor Norris stated that upon his arrival at UB in 2017, the institution’s wage bill stood at 92 percent, despite concerns about its overall output and national impact. He explained that the restructuring process was designed to streamline services, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen institutional effectiveness.

He further observed that with a disproportionate share of resources being consumed by salaries, critical areas such as institutional planning, infrastructure development and research support were adversely affected. In response, he said the 2020–2029 strategic plan was developed to restore balance, improve efficiency and reposition UB as a more relevant and responsive institution.

Professor Norris emphasised that a High-Performance Organisation required highly skilled staff, a shared vision and values aligned with institutional purpose as well as a strong culture of accountability, customer focus, action orientation and ethical work practices.

“With these elements in place, we can build an impactful organisation that is relevant to society,” he said.

He thanked staff for their continued commitment and encouraged them to work cohesively as teams in service of the University’s mandate. Under the HPO framework, he stressed the importance of agility, timely execution of tasks and improved responsiveness to ensure effective service delivery.

He added that this approach would ensure stronger alignment with strategic priorities and better focus on key areas of institutional importance.

Since his appointment as Vice Chancellor, Professor Norris has consistently emphasised the need for a more impactful university driven by research, innovation and practical solutions to societal challenges. He has also reiterated the importance of financial sustainability and institutional self-reliance.

The transition to a High-Performance Organisation, he noted, was therefore not merely a structural adjustment but a deliberate paradigm shift aimed at repositioning UB for greater relevance, efficiency and national impact.