Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the WildCAT Botswana Trust, a leading conservation NGO focused on predator research and promoting human-wildlife coexistence. This strategic partnership sets the stage for collaborative research, student and staff exchanges, academic programme development, and joint capacity-building initiatives supporting both organisations’ missions. The MoU creates a framework for cooperation aimed at advancing nature conservation, strengthening community livelihoods, enhancing human and wildlife health, and building the next generation of conservation scientists Specific activities will include: 1.Joint research projects and academic events 2. Shared publications and academic resources 3. Student and staff exchange programmes 4. Benchmarking and quality assurance initiatives We look forward to meaningful impact through this collaboration, driving both scientific innovation and sustainable development in Botswana and beyond. hashtag#BUAN hashtag#WildCATBotswana hashtag#Conservation hashtag#ResearchCollaboration hashtag#Sustainability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Johannesburg, South Africa: June 20, 2025   UGO Fellowship 2025 application deadline extended to June 30, 2025.   The Universal Greening Organization (UGO) is pleased to announce that the application deadline for the UGO Fellowship 2025 has been officially extended to June 30, 2025. Originally scheduled to close today, June 20, this extension is in response to overwhelming interest from students across the continent and multiple requests for additional time to complete their submissions. The UGO Fellowship 2025 cohort is a flagship 90-day youth leadership exchange program targeting tertiary students from South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. It offers participants a unique platform to engage in skills development, environmental action,regional integration, and global exposure.   “We have been deeply encouraged by the passion and interest shown by young people across Africa. This final extension is a response to that energy; we want to ensure that no visionary student is left behind due to timing,” said Talifhani Tshitwamulomoni, Executive Chairman of UGO.   Applicants now have until 11:59 PM (CAT) on Sunday, June 30, 2025, to submit their applications.   Apply here before the final deadline: https://forms.office.com/r/BhzzR0RQWA?origin=lprLink.   For more information, visit the UGO website: www.universalgreening.org   Media Contact:   Universal Greening Organisation (UGO) fellowship@universalgreening.org

The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) is cultivating more than crops—it's cultivating partnerships. During a recent Full Council address in Maun, the Vice Chancellor of BUAN, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, laid out an ambitious and collaborative vision for the university’s engagement with the North West District.   Although BUAN officially attained university status only six years ago, it stands on a legacy of over 50 years of agricultural excellence. Today, it is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and socio-economic transformation, not just for Gaborone, but for the entire nation. “We are here in Maun because we believe in building with communities, not for them,” the Vice Chancellor emphasized, underscoring BUAN’s philosophy of inclusive development.   The university's growing footprint in the North West District is already evident. Ongoing research initiatives in the region include the use of traditional medicine in animal health, the study of wild edible and medicinal plants, and the groundbreaking EcoRanger Project, which equips local cattle farmers with tools to access premium markets. These projects reflect BUAN’s commitment to practical, research-driven interventions that enhance livelihoods, promote climate resilience, and unlock value from Botswana’s rich biodiversity.   BUAN’s strategic roadmap includes the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine, backed by international partners from Japan, the United States, and regional institutions. Plans are also underway for a satellite campus in Maun, contingent on land allocation, further cementing the university’s commitment to decentralised growth and access to education.   Through its commercial arm BUAN Enterprises, the university is pioneering income-generating ventures such as model farms and hands-on training platforms in agriculture, ecotourism, and entrepreneurship. One flagship initiative, the INCUHIVE startup incubator, is already transforming graduates into business leaders, providing a blueprint for job creation and innovation.   In his address, the Vice Chancellor proposed a strategic partnership with the North West District Council focused on high-impact areas: climate resilience, floodplain farming, livestock management, sustainable tourism, and agro-tourism. Recognizing shared challenges in financial sustainability, BUAN also offered complimentary technical expertise to help the Council design and implement a revenue-generating investment vehicle—an initiative poised to translate knowledge into tangible community benefits.   As BUAN continues to plant seeds of progress in Botswana’s regions, its vision remains clear: to co-create solutions that are sustainable, inclusive, and locally empowering.