News

University of Botswana (UB) has partnered with the Higher Education Facilities Management Association (HEFMA) to co-host the 2026 HEFMA Conference, scheduled for the 12th of October 2026 at UB.

The partnership was solidified during a two-day preparatory workshop held at UB, aimed at laying the strategic groundwork for the conference and strengthening collaboration in higher education facilities management. The engagement reflects UB’s commitment to maximising facilities utilisation and advancing sustainable, innovation-driven infrastructure management.

Speaking at the workshop, HEFMA immediate past president (2025-2026), Mr Hendrik Esterhuizen, said the collaboration was both timely and strategic. He noted that the workshop was intended to “lay the HEFMA framework going forward and prepare for a successful 2026 Conference at the University of Botswana.”

He added that HEFMA’s mandate was to support institutions of higher learning by providing platforms for knowledge-sharing, networking with professional consultants and engagement with industry experts in facilities management.

Welcoming the HEFMA delegation, UB Acting Vice Chancellor and Chief Operations Officer, Mr Dawid Katzke, described the visit as more than a planning exercise, calling it a constructive and collaborative engagement.

He emphasised that facilities and infrastructure were foundational to teaching, learning, research and student life and increasingly require strategic leadership, innovation and sustainability-focused management. Mr Katzke said HEFMA’s guidance played a critical role in strengthening institutions across the region and would help ensure a seamless and impactful conference experience.

HEFMA President (2025–2026), Ms Hlamarisa Kubayi, expressed appreciation for UB’s partnership and noted that the University would serve as a gateway to expanding HEFMA’s footprint beyond South Africa and Botswana into the broader southern African region. She underscored HEFMA’s intention to collaborate with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and engage more higher education institutions across Botswana.

Ms Kubayi added that the 2026 HEFMA Conference would feature international guests, reinforcing its role as a regional platform for advancing facilities management across universities and TVET institutions.