News

The University of Botswana has secured partnerships and attachments from his recent trip to the United States of America.  A delegation led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris recently undertook a trip to the US on a fact finding mission. The   objective of the trip was to facilitate working relationships with some American universities to tap into the world’s best and advance the University of Botswana’s drive of becoming a research-intensive institution of higher learning.

So far, collaborations secured are with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Colorado School of Mines and Patton College of Education.  The partnerships, scholarships and attachments are geared towards reposition the University of Botswana to remain relevant and responsive to the challenges facing the country. Besides its goal of addressing the needs and aspirations of Batswana, the aim is creating a future for the knowledge generation.

Further, the University of Botswana is on a mission to pioneer sustainable social, economic and environmental solutions locally and globally. Therefore, the University secured collaboration with NREL given mutual interest in solar power technology as well as developing integrated energy solutions. This means pursuing renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The University of Botswana consistently pursues renewable and clean energy by incorporating sustainability into its curriculum, research, and operations.

Thus, the collaboration will enable two UB students pursuing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) attachment at NREL to research on Solar Energy System under the NREL and Colorado School of Mines.

This is intended to advance research by the university to help Botswana tap into its abundance of solar energy and lessen reliance on thermal power. Thus, the University of Botswana’s Clean Energy Research Centre thrives to reduce gas emissions and this is achieved by using science, technology, and innovation to develop integrated energy solutions.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor’s delegation visited the Patton College of Education Ohio on a benchmarking exercise as well as collaboration and knowledge exchange on appropriate and relevant educational systems. The US mission was fruitful in that it fostered opportunities for collaboration and partnerships in training teachers for professional development. Such professional development will see closer cooperation between the University of Botswana and Patton College of Education with schools, thus facilitating a structure of teacher mentorship to trickle down quality experience.

To enhance student-teacher quality experience, the collaboration will further pave way for developing teaching standards to improve the education system in Botswana. In addition, the University of Botswana will identify under performing schools and develop programmes that will assist such schools to improve their performance. The model has been producing good results for the Patton College. 

The University of Botswana’s Faculty of Education is working on improving the performance of students in the country. This initiative will see the University of Botswana’s realising its goal of creating productive and competitive human capital.