As Africa’s academic community, scientists, researchers, and agricultural experts prepares for the 21st RUFORUM Annual General Meeting scheduled for 1st to 5th December 2025 in Gaborone, the week of 24th to 28th November served as a powerful precursor. This period delivered a focused series of activities designed to equip participants with essential skills, build institutional capacity, and generate the momentum required for a successful AGM.   Hosted at the Ministry of Higher Education and Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), the pre-AGM events were not simply supplementary activities. Rather, they were strategic, purpose-driven engagements intended to ensure that stakeholders enter the main AGM with enhanced competencies, shared perspectives, and strengthened readiness for collaborative action. Key activities included Competitive Grants Development Training for Botswana Universities, Scholarly Writing Workshops on Systematic Reviews, Research and Analytical Articles, and Proposal Writing and Management Skills Training for Post-Doctoral Fellows. In addition, a comprehensive series of Pre-AGM Thematic Workshops was delivered, covering areas such as data science and bioinformatics, financial management for higher education institutions, leadership development for university managers, innovation and enterprise development, as well as gender and inclusion-focused institutional strengthening. These sessions targeted a broad range of participants, including university staff members, early-career researchers, postgraduate students, research and grants management offices, and wider stakeholders across the RUFORUM network. The primary objectives were to strengthen research capacity and enhance universities’ competitiveness in securing grants to support impactful agricultural research. The events also sought to improve scholarly communication by empowering emerging researchers to produce high-quality systematic reviews, research papers, and analytical outputs.   The knowledge, capacities, and networks developed during these pre-AGM engagements will directly inform the discussions and collaborations taking place during the main AGM. They will shape research partnerships, support evidence-based policy dialogues, and reinforce institutional strategies across the RUFORUM network. By the time December begins, BUAN and GICC will play host not merely to an AGM, but to a well-prepared, mobilised community poised to transform ideas into meaningful action.

The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs continue to strengthen their long-standing partnership dedicated to advancing community empowerment, sustainable development, and national food security. The collaboration, anchored by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reflects a shared commitment to supporting Botswana’s socio-economic transformation through knowledge exchange, research, and community-based initiatives. During a recent courtesy meeting between BUAN Vice Chancellor, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, and the Honourable Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening institutional collaboration. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on progress made under the existing MoU and to explore areas for expansion in response to emerging national development priorities. In his remarks, Minister Motshegwa commended BUAN for its pivotal role in Botswana’s industrialization and community development agenda. He emphasized the importance of leveraging BUAN’s expertise in agricultural innovation, capacity building, and research to empower local communities and strengthen grassroots economic resilience. The Minister further noted that the MoU would be reviewed and enhanced to ensure that it remains responsive to the evolving needs of citizens and aligns with national policies on local governance and rural development. Professor Mosepele expressed BUAN’s continued commitment to collaborating with government and community partners to address pressing challenges in food security and sustainable livelihoods. He highlighted BUAN’s strategic focus on developing human capital, advancing applied research, and promoting agricultural entrepreneurship as key drivers of inclusive growth. “BUAN remains dedicated to working hand in hand with the Ministry to empower communities with the knowledge and skills required to achieve self-sufficiency and contribute meaningfully to Botswana’s development goals,” he affirmed. The discussions also underscored the shared objective of enhancing local capacity for sustainable agricultural practices, improving food systems, and fostering innovation in rural enterprises. Through joint programmes, training, and outreach initiatives, BUAN and the Ministry aim to equip communities with practical skills for food production, income generation, and environmental stewardship. This renewed collaboration marks an important step in reinforcing the link between academic research, policy implementation, and community development. By pooling expertise and resources, BUAN and the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs continue to play a vital role in shaping a more resilient, inclusive, and food-secure Botswana.

The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), in collaboration with the Consortium for One Health in Southern Africa (COHESA), hosted a One Health Breakfast Meeting on 22 October 2025 in Gaborone. The event brought together representatives from government ministries, international organizations, academia, and research institutions to deliberate on strategies for advancing the One Health agenda in Botswana. In his opening remarks, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, Vice Chancellor of BUAN, emphasized the importance of adopting the One Health approach as a strategic imperative for Botswana’s public health, food security, and sustainable development. He highlighted BUAN’s leadership role in promoting healthy ecosystems and animal health and called for harmonized policies, improved coordination, and shared accountability among stakeholders to achieve national and regional health goals. Following the Vice Chancellor’s remarks, Professor Flora Meluenberg led the discussions and presented findings from a Net-Mapping exercise conducted by the COHESA team. The exercise provided valuable insights into stakeholder linkages, highlighting key influencers in One Health decision-making and collaboration across sectors. Adding to the day’s deliberations, Professor Kgosimore delivered a comprehensive presentation on the integration of One Health principles into academic curricula and research. He emphasized the need to embed interdisciplinary approaches within teaching and training programmes at BUAN and other national institutions to build a new generation of professionals equipped to address complex health challenges at the human–animal–environment interface. His presentation sparked engaging discussions on capacity building, curriculum development, and cross-sectoral research collaborations. In contextualizing One Health Implementation in Botswana. In Botswana, the One Health (OH) approach is implemented within the framework of the Libreville Declaration (LD), which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The LD provides a foundation for assessing how the entire environmental space influences human well-being and serves as a key instrument for operationalizing One Health principles. Stakeholders responsible for enforcing the LD agenda play a central role in shaping Botswana’s emerging One Health legal and policy framework. Although comprehensive documentation of the national One Health framework remains limited, Botswana demonstrates evidence of strong governance mechanisms through its implementation of various regional and international commitments. These are coordinated through key line ministries to address One Health challenges and ensure preparedness during public health emergencies. Nonetheless, there is a pressing need to document holistic governance structures to promote a shared understanding and cohesive action among stakeholders. Looking ahead, an assessment of the One Health landscape is crucial to evaluate sectoral performance, identify capacity gaps, and address systemic barriers to effective multi-sectoral collaboration in the management of One Health issues across the country. In closing, participants of the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to proactive engagement and collective action toward achieving a resilient, sustainable, and health-secure Botswana — underscoring that One Health is not an option, but a critical necessity.