SARUA announces partnership with BUAN to host second Annual International Conference in Gaborone [Stellenbosch, 5 March 2026] The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) has announced that its second Annual International SARUA Conference will be hosted in partnership with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) in Gaborone, Botswana, from 25 to 27 November 2026. The 2026 conference will be convened under the theme From Innovation to Transformation: Scaling and Rethinking Higher Education Towards Social Justice and Sustainable Development. Building on the 2025 focus on Innovating Higher Education for Sustainable Development across the SADC: Innovation for Impact, this year’s gathering moves the regional conversation forward. Whereas the inaugural conference emphasised the generation of innovative approaches and their potential for impact, the 2026 theme challenges institutions to consider how such innovations can be embedded, expanded, scaled and translated into sustained, system-wide change. The shift from innovation to transformation reflects a growing recognition that pilot initiatives and isolated successes are not enough. Universities across the region are being called upon to rethink governance models, funding strategies, partnerships and academic practices so that innovation leads to measurable progress in advancing social justice and sustainable development. In a context marked by inequality, climate vulnerability and economic pressure, higher education must play a decisive role in shaping inclusive and resilient futures. In line with SARUA’s commitment to rotating its flagship conference across SADC member states, the event follows the inaugural gathering held in Lusaka in 2025. Hosting the conference in Gaborone is particularly significant, as the SADC Secretariat, which founded SARUA, is headquartered in Botswana. The 2026 conference provides an opportunity to reaffirm the alignment between regional higher education collaboration and SADC’s broader development agenda. SARUA Executive Director Prof. Stephen Simukanga said the partnership with BUAN underscores the association’s focus on regional cooperation and purposeful transformation. “Following the success of our inaugural conference, we are pleased to convene in Gaborone around a theme that challenges institutions to translate innovation into sustained, system-wide progress in support of social justice and sustainable development.” The SARUA International Annual Conference brings together university leaders, policymakers, researchers, academics, development partners, industry and community representatives from across the SADC region, Africa and beyond. The 2026 gathering will provide a high-level platform for strategic dialogue, policy engagement and collaborative action, with a particular emphasis on scaling effective practice and strengthening institutional impact across Africa. Vice-Chancellor of BUAN, Prof. Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, said the university is honoured to host the conference in partnership with SARUA. “The theme speaks directly to the responsibility of universities to rethink established models and extend their contribution to inclusive andsustainable development. We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the region, the continent and wider global community to Gaborone for an engagement that will shape the next phase of higher education transformation.” Further details on the conference programme, speakers and registration will be announced in due course.  About the Southern African Universities Association (SARUA) SARUA is a membership-based organisation representing higher education institutions across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). We are committed to advancing higher education through policy advocacy, innovation and collaboration. SARUA’s core focus is on strengthening regional networks, building institutional capacity and fostering communities of practice to address shared challenges and opportunities in the sector. Contact: Sarah Coetzee Communications Manager, SARUA sarah.coetzee@sarua.africa +27 83 287 0079 Ms Onkgopotse Moreri Manager, Communications and Marketing, BUAN o.moreri@buan.ac.bw +267 365 0123

Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) PhD candidate, Ms Kelebonye Kelly Ramolekwa, has attained an exceptional international distinction after being recognised at the 16th edition of the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards. This globally respected programme, jointly led by L’Oréal and UNESCO, is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and empowering outstanding women scientists whose research addresses critical scientific and societal challenges. The For Women in Science initiative is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious platforms for advancing gender equity in science. It plays a pivotal role in strengthening scientific excellence across Africa by providing promising women researchers with financial support, international visibility, and access to leadership and professional development opportunities. Selection into the programme is highly competitive, reflecting the scientific merit, innovation, and potential impact of the recipients’ research. Ms Ramolekwa was selected as one of only 25 awardees from 18 Sub-Saharan African countries, emerging from a competitive pool of more than 550 applicants. As part of this recognition, she received a €10,000 research grant, in addition to specialised training in leadership, scientific communication, and career development. These opportunities are designed to equip young women scientists with the skills necessary to influence policy, lead research initiatives, and contribute meaningfully to national and continental development agendas. The award supports Ms Ramolekwa’s doctoral research, which focuses on enhancing yield potential and improving the nutritional quality of advanced cowpea lines an area of strategic importance for sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition in Africa. Her research is conducted under the supervision of Dr Motlalepula Tait, Dr LeKgari Lekgari, Professor Samodimo Ngwako, and Dr Goitseone Malambane. In recognition of the excellence, relevance, and broader societal impact of her work, Ms Ramolekwa was nominated as the Southern African representative and selected as one of the principal speakers at the intergovernmental Pan-African Panel discussions. Participation in these high-level forums provides a critical platform for engaging with policymakers, development partners, and scientific leaders, enabling her to contribute to continental dialogue on science-driven solutions for agricultural development and food security. This achievement not only reflects Ms Ramolekwa’s academic excellence and leadership potential, but also underscores BUAN’s commitment to producing globally competitive researchers whose work contributes to Africa’s sustainable development and scientific advancement.  

  BUAN’s participation in the Tourism Pitso under the theme “Tourism as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation and Sustainable Growth Through Partnerships” underscores the University’s strategic role in shaping the future of Botswana’s tourism sector. As a centre of excellence in agriculture, natural resources, and environmental sciences, BUAN is uniquely positioned to support tourism development that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Tourism in Botswana is deeply linked to natural ecosystems, wildlife, landscapes, food systems, and rural livelihoods, areas that form the core of BUAN’s academic and research mandate. Through research and innovation, BUAN generates evidence-based solutions that support sustainable land use, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and natural resource management. These research outputs are critical for informing tourism policies and practices that balance economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring that tourism development does not compromise the very resources on which it depends. BUAN also plays a key role in human capital development by training professionals with the skills required to support a modern tourism industry. This includes expertise in environmental management, agro-tourism, eco-tourism, food and hospitality systems, climate-smart practices, and community-based tourism models. By producing graduates who understand sustainability, resource efficiency, and innovation, BUAN contributes to a skilled workforce that can drive transformation across the tourism value chain. In addition, BUAN supports community engagement and inclusive growth by promoting tourism models that integrate local communities, farmers, and rural enterprises into the tourism economy. Through extension services, applied research, and partnerships, the University helps communities participate meaningfully in tourism through agri-tourism, cultural heritage initiatives, local food supply chains, and conservation-based enterprises. Partnerships are central to BUAN’s contribution to the sector. By collaborating with government, the private sector, communities, and regional and international institutions, BUAN strengthens knowledge exchange, policy development, and innovation. The Tourism Pitso provides a valuable platform for building these partnerships and aligning academic expertise with national tourism priorities. BUAN’s involvement in the Tourism Pitso therefore reflects its commitment to positioning tourism as a driver of economic diversification, sustainable development, and inclusive growth, while safeguarding Botswana’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.