Celebrating Excellence: Boitumelo Primary School's Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony The annual prize-giving ceremony at Boitumelo Primary School was a joyous and lively celebration of student achievement, filled with radiant smiles and enthusiastic cheers from proud parents. Boitumelo Primary School, a beacon of academic excellence, was delighted to have the support of Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which graciously sponsored the event. The prize-giving arena buzzed with excitement as students, adorned in their school uniforms, filled the space. Teachers, administrators, and community members came together to honor students who had excelled in academics. The ceremony started with a heartfelt welcome from the principal, who emphasized the values of hard work, resilience, and community support. Awards were presented in various categories, recognizing everything from outstanding academic performance to exemplary behavior among peers. Each recipient's name reverberated throughout the arena, accompanied by thunderous applause and words of encouragement. Beyond the tangible rewards, the event served as a poignant reminder of the collective effort needed to nurture a child’s academic growth. The principal expressed deep gratitude for the vital partnership between parents, schools, and the local community, affirming, "Education is truly a team effort. When parents and schools work hand in hand, children thrive." He also highlighted the crucial role played by the local community in shaping the academic journey of the students. Businesses, local organizations, and volunteers were acknowledged for their valuable contributions, including resources, funding, and mentorship opportunities that enrich the educational experience. During the ceremony, special recognition was given to BUAN for their sponsorship of the school’s prize giving ceremony. Additionally, BUAN hosts an annual field trip for Boitumelo Primary School students to visit their farms, fostering hands-on learning experiences. BUAN affirmed its commitment to continuing the collaborative efforts with Boitumelo Primary School, pledging to provide ongoing support to ensure that every child not only achieves academic success but also blossoms into a well-rounded individual prepared to take on the world.

Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) has five member countries in Southern Africa namely Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia, with the regional office at Namibia. The countries work jointly with Germany, under the German Ministry of Education and Research  which funds the programmes under SASSCAL. The organisation was establshed to address challenges of global change in Southern Africa.   September 18, 2024 marked start of the first day of the 2 day programme of the 'SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme - Integrated Water Resources Managemt (SGSP- IWRM)' Stakeholder Promotional and Visibility  Engagement Programme. Day one of the programme was held at UB Conference and day 2 morning session at UB Campus while second session was held at BUAN, CICE Auditoriam in the afternoon. The purpose of the workshop was capacity building as well as to promote the SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme to solicit prospects for the 2025 cohort of students.    The delegates were welcomed by Dean of Faculty of Science, Prof Moffat Setshogo on behalf of UB management. He briefly highlighted the background of SASSCAL and its meaningful progress to Africa and the region as well as being proud of role his institution was playing in the programe. He acknowledged the partners and the contributions they are making and encouraged all delegates to take advantage of the knowledge sharing and collaborations.    Mr Balizi Gopolang, SASSCAL Board Chairperson and also one of the first drivers of SASSCAL in the country also welcomed delegates on behalf of Ministry of Environment and Tourism. He state that SASSCAL is a very instrumental organ. He challenged all to make partnerships and collaboration instead of doing research in silos. He pledged Government support to SASSCAL projects to ensure thst they are well resourced to tackle the initiatives.    The Director of SGSP – IWRM based in Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Prof Awofolu Omotayo gave an overview of the Programme. He stated the aims for the SGSP- IWRM as follows: •?  ?To increase number of highly qualified IWRM experts and knowledge by providing scholarships to excellent PHD students •?  ?To provide a platform within SASSCAL memmber countries  for knowledge sharing, policy development and advice  •?  ?To promote innovation in interdisciplinaryeducation and research •?  ?To develop and accredit PHD curriculum in IWRM •?  ?To transfer the know how by offering tailor made short courses and training to practitioners •?  ?To support the internationalization of research and human capacity development.   The programme has four thematic areas of focus being water and wastewater systems and technology; water security under climate and environmental changes; hydrology and geohydrology; and sustainable water, energy and food security.   Dr Botlhe Matlhodi, the SASSCAL Programmes Coordinator in Botswana also gave a brief presentation outline on SASSCAL and the student graduate programme, while Prof Piet Kenabatho , the Deputy Chairperson of SGSP-IWRM ASAC, presented on Botswana’s involvement in the SGSP – IWRM Programme. The three PhD Candidates currently under the programme, and the first Batswana to be enrolled in the programme then presented what their researches entailed. Prof Ditiro Moalofhi, the Research Chairperson of the SGSP- IWRM Programme gave a presentation on the role  and objectives of the Chairperson potfolio in contribution to the programme.   On the 19th of September, 2024, opportunities ans future prospects,  were presented to both staff and graduates students of UB and BUAN. The three PhD candidates also has a chance to share their very insightful expriences as well as challenges in the programme.

On 12th of September, a momentous and inspiring occasion occurred as Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and the Charles Hill District Council (CDC) under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development formalized their partnership. The Vice Chancellor of BUAN, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, expressed his genuine excitement about the potential of this partnership, believing it to be the beginning of a fruitful relationship that will not only bring about positive transformation in the District but also provide BUAN with a strong sense of purpose. He passionately stated, "BUAN is a national asset, and this partnership will ensure that Batswana receives a significant Return on Investment." Understanding the pressing need to address issues of poverty and hunger, particularly in the face of Botswana's challenging climate,    BUAN has committed to working hand in hand with the CDC to enhance the Agriculture and Natural Resources sectors in rural areas. This collaboration aims to uplift rural livelihoods and foster economic diversification for the benefit of Botswana as a whole. Professor Mosepele emphasized that these sectors represent the future. Through this partnership, the Charles Hill District Council is actively shaping a future that will foster socio-economic growth in the region. His sentiments echoed those of Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms Baipelelwang C. Photlokwe, who expressed the Ministry's delight in seeing councils collaborate with other entities to drive socio-economic growth. She specifically highlighted the importance of BUAN's involvement, recognizing the university as a key player in capacity building within councils and the western region, with high hopes that these collaborations will propel the National Vision 2036 and other government agendas forward.    In a demonstration of innovation, BUAN has established BUAN Enterprises, a private company with the primary goal of generating additional income for the university to ensure financial sustainability. The company boasts a range of business enterprises, including the pioneering 1 MW Agri-voltaic plant that generates solar power and cultivates vegetables on the same land. This innovative approach has allowed BUAN to power its main campus during the day and sell surplus electricity to the national power utility, Botswana Power Corporation. The Vice-Chancellor confidently stated that the company's value stands at approximately BWP 70 million today, with aspirations to propel it into a multi-billion-Pula enterprise. BUAN's proactive approach extends to establishing a Solar Training Center geared towards developing technical skills in renewable energy and positioning it as a pivotal driver of socio-economic growth in the future.   Further showcasing its commitment to sustainability, BUAN has commissioned a cutting-edge water purification plant capable of transforming grey sewage water into potable water suitable for agricultural use. Given Botswana's water-stressed environment, this technology promises to significantly facilitate water reuse in the country, with the added benefit of being powered by solar-generated electricity. In its dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship, BUAN has launched the INCUHIVE incubation program, specifically designed for BUAN graduates, aiming to empower them to become successful entrepreneurs in the Agriculture and Natural Resources sectors. Despite limited funding, BUAN diligently trains approximately 40 incubates at a time, providing comprehensive guidance on the entire business cycle of an Agri-business enterprise in collaboration with LEA. The ultimate goal is cultivating a culture of employers rather than employees in Botswana's Agriculture and Natural Resources sectors.    As part of its strategic vision, BUAN has forged a partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Culture to establish the Sechaba Program, which seeks to support out-of-school youth in developing start-ups in the Agriculture and Natural Resources sectors, further demonstrating BUAN's dedication to empowering the youth and driving innovation. In essence, this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signifies a significant milestone in fostering an environment of knowledge sharing and co-creation in the Agriculture and Natural Resources space, ensuring that the invaluable expertise and knowledge housed at BUAN are accessible to all.    BUAN is commitment to successfully implementing its MoU with CDC reflects its deep-seated dedication to the development of the District and the nation as a whole.