News

The University of Botswana (UB) has taken a decisive and practical step to ease student accommodation pressures with the handover of 384 newly created on-campus bed spaces, achieved through the repurposing of existing porta-cabins.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held at Block 244A on the 23rd of January 2026, Acting Vice Chancellor, Mr Dawid Katzke, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to safeguarding student welfare and strengthening the learning environment despite ongoing financial constraints.

Mr Katzke acknowledged that UB, like many universities globally, was facing increasing demand for student accommodation which placed pressure on student wellbeing, academic performance and campus life. He emphasised that the University had responded by prioritising practical, affordable and sustainable solutions that placed students at the centre of decision-making.

“Our priority is to provide accommodation that is safe, functional, dignified and financially sustainable for the institution, government and students,” said Mr Katzke.

He explained that in the absence of capital grants, the University adopted a pragmatic and innovative approach by repurposing underutilised assets. The conversion of porta-cabins into student residences has resulted in 384 additional bed spaces, addressing approximately 10 percent of the current accommodation shortfall. Mr Katzke described the initiative as a reflection of the University’s creativity, cost-consciousness and unwavering commitment to students, noting that UB was deliberately redirecting resources away from non-essential luxuries towards solutions that directly improved student life.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Maria Nnyepi, highlighted the academic benefits of the initiative, noting that access to on-campus accommodation played a critical role in student success. She explained that many students who lived off campus often faced environments that were not conducive to learning, adding that the additional bed spaces would enable more students to benefit from proximity to lecture halls, libraries, laboratories and academic support services.

“This development is expected to have a positive impact on students’ academic performance and overall learning experience,” said Professor Nyepi.

Providing insight into the implementation of the project, Director of Campus Services, Mr Kennedy John, said the initiative was guided by the University’s mandate to ensure that physical infrastructure supported UB’s academic mission and promoted student wellbeing. He explained that his department was tasked with transforming the porta-cabins into habitable student accommodation within a limited timeframe while ensuring full compliance with health, safety and accommodation standards.

The scope of work included internal reconfiguration, installation of ablution and sanitation facilities, electrical and plumbing upgrades, fire safety provisions and general refurbishment to ensure the units met residential requirements.