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This year marked the 39th graduation ceremony of the University of Botswana as a total of 2 529 students graduated in different fields on November 26, 2021. This means that 19 students graduated with PhDs, four with MPhil, 272 Masters, 50 Post-Graduate Diplomas, 1 990 Degrees and 194 Diploma. The graduation was held virtually under the theme: Resilience Through Challenges and was broadcast live on Botswana Television and livestreamed on UB social media platforms including Botswana Daily News and BWGov Facebook pages.

In his congratulatory note, the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, applauded the graduates for making it despite the extreme challenges they faced of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Masisi said notwithstanding that their lives were disrupted “you demonstrated resilience and agility to come out of the pandemic stronger”. He encouraged the graduates to carry the same spirit to see to it that Botswana achieved its transformational agenda as espoused in Vision 2036. The President expressed confidence in their ability to make a difference in Batswana’s lives, noting that their active participation would, therefore, help in the realisation of the country’s national agenda to transform from a resource to a knowledge-based economy.

“I therefore implore you stay focused so that together we can overcome these challenges,” said Dr Masisi.

Meanwhile, during the same occasion the University of Botswana inaugurate Ms Tebelelo Mazile Seretse as its sixth Chancellor. Ms Seretse takes over from Ms Linah Kelebogile Mohohlo who passed on in June this year. She was appointed by the President acting in terms of Section 7(1) of the University of Botswana Act, for a period of five years commencing September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2026.

Ms Seretse is an experienced leader, having served in different capacities locally and internationally. Notably, she served as Botswana’s Ambassador to the United States of America from 2010 to 2014. Ms Seretse has two undergraduate degrees, namely, Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and Bachelor of Science (Accounting), which she acquired in a period of four years at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1978.

Thereafter, she obtained a Master of Arts in Economics from University of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1981. She later studied law at the University of Botswana where she obtained her LLB in 1995. Her achievements and dedication were recognised by several organizations and Universities which lead to her being awarded four honorary Doctorates: two in Public Service by Ohio University (2014) and University of Cincinnati (2014), Doctor of Laws from Morgan State University (2012) and a Doctor of Humane Letters from St. George's University (2012).