News Date : 20 February, 2023
BOTSWANA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS A STAKEHOLDER’S BREAKFAST MEETING
The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources held a Stakeholder’s Breakfast Meeting on the 20th February 2023, where the Vice Chancellor Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele shared the University’s vision and his road map as the newly appointed 2nd Vice Chancellor of the University.
In his remarks he highlighted the purpose of the meeting as a way of exploring possibilities for collaboration with stakeholders in the agriculture and natural resources sectors and thereby collectively contribute to national, regional, and international development goals and agendas, and to serve mutual interests.
In sharing the new strategy, the Vice chancellor said that BUAN activities are guided by the Strategic Plan for 2022-2027, whose Vision is to transform BUAN into an Innovative and Research-Intensive University in Agriculture and Natural Resources”. The mission is “to produce innovative graduates and technological solutions, for sustainable development in agriculture and natural resources sectors”. He also said that, by delivering on this mission BUAN will enhance its contribution to the SADC Common Agenda on promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development in the region. It will also enhance the ability of the University to contribute to sustainable growth in agriculture and natural resources sectors and overall socio-economic development in Botswana and the SADC region.
Regarding partnership, the Vice Chancellor suggested that collaboration with public Universities may involve joint development of research programs, staff and student exchange, joint national conferences on issues of national significance, joint supervision of graduate students, joint research publications, and development of joint degree programs. He further highlighted that collaboration with research oriented public institutions may be through joint research and development activities related to agriculture and natural Resources, and technology among others, as this would maximize the impact of research for the benefit of Botswana and the region. The Vice Chancellor further noted that collaboration between BUAN and Civil Society and International Development Agencies may be on the establishment of research and outreach projects/programmes for addressing issues related to Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation. Such collaboration may also be on projects that promote the achievement of SDGs, particularly Goals 1 and 2 on “No Poverty” and Zero Hunger”. Regarding the private sector, the VC highlighted that partnership may be through, among other models, Public Private Partnerships, in developing productive enterprises.
After sharing the strategic plan with the stakeholders, he concluded by saying that he wishes for Botswana to be food and nutrition secure by leveraging on its agricultural and natural resources. He also emphasized that he wished to see Batswana actively involved across the entire value chain of the agriculture and natural resources landscape. Stakeholders were also given an opportunity to share their thoughts on areas of possible collaboration and partnerships and on a way forward. In their comments they showed appreciation for the VC having shared the University Road map and they made commitments to support BUAN where possible.