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The University of Botswana (UB) is strengthening its position as a continental centre of excellence by translating its strategic vision into tangible, Africa-led development outcomes through sustained collaboration with universities and key institutions across the continent’s education ecosystem.

Anchored on UB’s strategic pillars of human and social development, research excellence and global competitiveness, the partnership underscores the University’s expanding role in building capacity, leadership and institutional resilience that drive sustainable continental impact across Africa.

This shared commitment was further underscored when Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, delivered the keynote address at the University of Liberia’s 105th Graduation Ceremony on the 27th of February 2026 in Monrovia, attended by national leaders including Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.

In his address, Professor Norris framed higher education as a strategic instrument for nation building, urging graduates to move beyond credentials towards ethical leadership, innovation and value creation. Using Liberia as a reference point, he highlighted challenges common across Africa including weak value chains, governance constraints and limited industrial beneficiation and called on graduates to become builders of resilient economies.

The philosophy is reflected in UB’s practical engagement with Liberia. In 2024, UB entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Liberia and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services under the World Bank-supported HISWA Project.

The agreement provides funding exceeding USD 245,000 to train nine (9) faculty members and postgraduate candidates from the University of Liberia at UB, thus eight (8) Master’s students and one (1) PhD candidate. The programme directly contributes to strengthening Liberia’s institutional and analytical capacity while positioning UB as a regional hub for advanced training.

Further, UB’s long-term impact in Liberia is evidenced by its alumni leadership footprint. Dr Romelle Horton, President of Cuttington University and the first woman to hold the position in the institution’s 133-year history, earned her PhD in Educational Administration and Leadership from UB before serving as Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Instruction. Likewise, Dr Cecelia Cassell, Chair of the Liberia Institute of Public Administration, obtained her Doctorate in Language Education from UB and continues to shape public sector capacity development.

Through strategic partnerships, high-level skills development and research-driven solutions, UB is advancing its strategic goal of becoming a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and beyond while contributing meaningfully to institutional rebuilding and sustainable development across the continent.