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In places such as Shakawe where roads are in a terrible state of disrepair and access to direct university engagement can often be limited, University of Botswana’s (UB) student recruitment roadshows are doing far more than recruiting students. It is restoring possibility, bringing hope closer to home and reminding communities that higher education should not be determined by geography or financial circumstance.

Thus, UB’s outreach initiative is steadily proving that the University belongs not only to those who can reach Gaborone but to every Motswana with the ambition to learn and the determination to succeed. For many prospective students and parents, the roadshows are not simply about admissions forms and programme brochures. They are about access.

In an era where most university applications are completed online, the digital divide remains a real challenge for many families in remote areas. Some cannot afford data, others struggle with internet connectivity while many simply do not have the financial means to travel to Gaborone for face-to-face assistance.

By taking admissions services beyond the main campus and into communities across Botswana, UB is ensuring that distance does not become a barrier to opportunity. It is a practical expression of one of the University’s strategic goals of community engagement that is impactful and responsive to societal challenges. One parent in Shakawe observed that bringing services closer to people helps families who would otherwise struggle to support their children’s educational aspirations.

“This helps our children because not everyone can travel to Maun or manage online applications on their own,” the parent remarked, adding “when the university comes here, it gives our children a real chance.”

There is a deeper symbolism in this outreach. UB was built through the sacrifices of Batswana themselves, under the historic Motho le Motho Kgomo campaign, where ordinary citizens donated cattle in the spirit of self-reliance to establish the institution. It was a national project born from collective sacrifice and the belief that education would shape the country’s future. Today, by reaching every corner of Botswana, UB is in many ways returning to its people. That spirit was vividly reflected at the UB stall in Shakawe, where two unexpected visitors became part of the story.

Mr Dhanraj Pondicherry and Mr Jag Randhawa, businessmen from California in the United States of America, are in Botswana to experience the country’s tourism, appreciate its rich culture and connect with its people. Drawn by the stall by UB branded gazeboes and the lively interaction between staff and prospective applicants, they decided to stop and observe. What they witnessed left a strong impression. “The staff were so welcoming and passionate,” they said. “We were excited to see how they were engaging with students, especially those from remote areas, helping them understand their options and apply for programmes of their choice. It was truly marvelous.”

As they listened to the stories of young applicants, one in particular stood out, that of Mothati Kesietswe who obtained 44 points in his Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) and carried with him a dream of becoming a doctor. Like many young people from rural communities, he had the academic potential and the ambition but still faced practical barriers in accessing higher education.  For Mr Pondicherry, who says he is a parent of a 17-year-old, the gesture that followed felt natural. “I felt touched,” he said, adding that “supporting an aspiring doctor felt like the right thing to do.” Moved by the encounter, he offered to sponsor Mothati’s application fee of P250 and another P250 as pocket money. Other two female students also benefited from this gesture of P250 each.

Reflecting on his own journey, Mr Randhawa said the moment resonated deeply with him as well. “As someone born in India, I see education as the gateway to success,” he said, noting “it changed my life, and when I saw these young people with so much potential, I felt moved to help.”

Together, Mr Pondicherry and Mr Randhawa paid application fees for three Batswana students applying for admission to UB in Shakawe. For the students, it was more than financial assistance. It was a reminder that sometimes opportunities arrive through unexpected acts of kindness and that dreams can find support from the most unlikely places.

For UB, the moment reflected exactly why outreach matters. The roadshow is not merely about increasing enrolment numbers. It is about ensuring equity, strengthening national inclusion and reaffirming the university’s identity as an institution built by Batswana and for Batswana.

And for a few, such as Mothati, they may leave with something even greater. The reassurance that UB is not a distant dream in Gaborone but a national institution reaching out to meet them where they are.