Universities Must Sit at the Centre of Skills and Economic Transformation - Prof Norris
University of Botswana (UB) Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, has reaffirmed the University’s role as a national anchor for skills development and economic transformation. Professor Norris reaffirmed this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers Group. The MoU was signed during a Leadership Retreat for State-Owned Entities hosted at the UB Conference Centre recently.
Professor Norris said partnerships between universities, government and industry were critical to developing industries, strengthening the workforce as well as improving livelihoods. He noted that hosting the MoU signing at UB underscored the University’s strategic position in aligning academic training, research and innovation with national development priorities.
The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry with UB playing a central role in preparing graduates with skills that respond to industry needs and support Botswana’s transition towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
Responding, Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Prince Maele, said the partnership reflected Botswana’s long-term commitment to human capital development, innovation and economic resilience. He noted that the collaboration represented a deliberate investment in skills development and future employment opportunities for Batswana.
In his welcome remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Professor Richard Tabulawa, said the Leadership Retreat consistently highlighted the need for stronger links between universities and industry. Professor Tabulawa 
described the MoU as a practical realisation of the discussions, aligning academic and technical training with real-world industry expectations.
De Beers Group Senior Vice President for People Partnering, Ms Thabile Moipolai, said the partnership built on the long-standing relationship between the Government of Botswana and De Beers. Ms Moipolai added that working closely with institutions such as UB enabled sustained investment in people, innovation and infrastructure.