UB Academic Visit to Wits Opens New Pathways for Research Collaboration
The University of Botswana (UB) is advancing its commitment to research excellence and strategic academic partnerships following a successful two-day visit by Dr Phillip Moseki and a group of final-year Biological Sciences students to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, from the 17th to 18th of March 2026.
Hosted by Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Wits, Professor Kennedy H. Erlwanger, the visit formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration in biomedical research, student training and curriculum development. Dr Moseki was accompanied by final-year BSc Biological Sciences research students Samuel Johnathan Collins, Bofelo Malebogo, Tshephang Tsaone Mophatsi and Pulenyane Mangonyana.
A major focus of the visit was to explore Wits’ animal house facilities, particularly in relation to cardiovascular research involving Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto Rat (WKY) models. The UB delegation also toured a number of specialist research platforms including the cardiovascular research group, sleep research laboratory, molecular research laboratory, exercise physiology laboratories and anatomy laboratories.
Beyond the facility tours, the visit created space for substantive academic engagement between the two institutions. Discussions explored opportunities for joint research, postgraduate co-supervision, student exchange programmes and the possible acquisition of SHR and WKY rat models to support research at UB. The team also benchmarked Wits’ BSc and Honours programmes with the aim of drawing lessons to strengthen and refine undergraduate training in Biological Sciences at UB.
One of the highlights of the visit was the interaction with postgraduate students as well as research presentations by both UB and Wits students which promoted knowledge sharing and helped to deepen academic networks between the two universities.
The visit marks an important step in broadening UB’s research and training partnerships within the region. It also reflects the University’s strategic focus on building international collaborations that enhance innovation, strengthen teaching and learning and expand opportunities for staff and students alike.