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University of Botswana (UB) Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, has implored Okavango Research Institute (ORI) staff to make deliberate efforts to expand UB’s footprint globally through its research initiatives.

Speaking during the Executive Management Team (EMT) consultative meeting with ORI staff in Maun, Prof Norris indicated that ORI was an integral part of the university given its potential to attract more students and industry globally were it to carve its niche in the global market.

“We can excel here on environment issues, climate change, rural development and issues of sustainability,” said Prof Norris. He added that the country could achieve its targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) through ORI.

In response, ORI Acting Deputy Director, Dr Mangaliso Gondwe, said they were encouraged to have someone in the management team directly responsible for research development.

He added that it solidified their position in the University. It was upon ORI, noted Dr Gondwe, to take the centre stage as a research flagship of the University.  Such would ultimately have a positive impact, not only on the institution but the community in which it exits, he said.

“We are going to do our best with research proposal writing, winning grants, bringing money and impactful research,” said Dr Gondwe.

For her part, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire, said ORI had the highest concentration of scholars in different categories being research scholars, senior research scholars, associate professors, and professors. Professor Ramogola-Masire said the scholars could be tapped into to grow Botswana’s research ecosystem.

In addition, Professor Masire indicated that through her leadership, she intended to have UB as the go-to institution for various Ministries in the country in terms of impactful research.

Consequently, ORI staff were officially introduced to the University of Botswana executive management team who were appointed in November 2022.The team comprised the Deputy Vice Chancellor Teaching and Learning, Professor Georges Ekosse, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire, Chief Operations Officer, Mr Dawid Katzke and Chief Finance Officer, Mrs Peo Pillar. Accompanying the team were Director Public Affairs, Dr Faith Rapuleng-Tuelo, Mr Moeng Segaetsho, Ms Anikie Mathoma and Ms Dineo Nkaro .

The consultative meeting appraised ORI staff on the ongoing UB restructuring process. Meanwhile, the UB delegation toured ORI facilities including Nxaraga Camp.