Ukrainian Embassy Proposes Establishment of Ukrainian Centre at University of Botswana
In a move aimed at strengthening academic, political and cultural ties between Ukraine and Botswana, Ukrainian Ambassador to Botswana, Dr Syvak Oleksiy, has proposed the establishment of a Ukrainian Centre at the University of Botswana (UB).
Dr Oleksiy shared his vision during a recent courtesy visit to Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire. Unlike conventional cultural centres, the ambassador explained, the proposed Ukrainian Centre would have a broader mandate encompassing not only cultural exchange but also political discourse, economic dialogue, and energy sector collaboration.
“We don’t call it a Ukrainian cultural centre; we call it a Ukrainian Centre,” Dr Oleksiy observed. “We want this centre to address issues of politics, energy sector and the economy. It will serve as a platform for broad discussions, allowing experts and students from Ukraine and Botswana to meet and share ideas.”
The ambassador also underlined the center’s potential to host high-level experts and professors from Ukraine who could deliver guest lectures and share a European perspective on global challenges. Such engagements, he said, would help local students gain deeper insights into international affairs and shape their own views on the global agenda.
“Our aim is to create a center where people can access information about Europe and Ukraine, not just in the cultural sphere but also in politics, geopolitics and the economy, regardless of their academic disciplines,” Dr reiterated Oleksiy.
In response, Professor Ramogola-Masire welcomed the initiative and noted that UB housed a variety of organisational structures, including interdisciplinary clusters, specialised centres and research groups. She explained that while the term “centre” was used widely at the institution, its function and structure could vary significantly.
Professor Ramogola-Masire proposed that both parties engage further to align strategies for research and innovation which would provide a clearer framework for collaboration and help define the centre’s operational goals.