News Date : 07 March, 2025
BUAN Vice- Chancellor Advocates for Strategic Collaborations to Drive Sustainable Growth in Botswana
In a compelling address at the Serowe District Full Council meeting, the Vice-Chancellor of BUAN (Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources), Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele outlined a bold vision for the future—one focused on building sustainable partnerships that will foster lasting socio-economic development in Serowe District and across Botswana.
Central to Profesor Mosepele’s message was the belief that collaboration is essential to achieving the university's mission of improving the livelihoods of Batswana. “Our strategic focus is to engage with communities and foster partnerships that can drive sustainable growth. We believe these partnerships will be instrumental in advancing Botswana’s food and nutrition security, and we cannot do this alone,” Professor Mosepele said.
He emphasized that sustainability is at the core of BUAN’s mission, with their guiding principle—"Inspiring Sustainable Growth"—driving every initiative. BUAN’s commitment to becoming the center of the Green Economy in Botswana is not just about research but about creating practical, on-the-ground solutions that will have a meaningful impact on communities.
“We need partners, stakeholders, and communities to join us in building a self-sufficient and resilient future for Botswana,” the Chancellor added, calling for a shared commitment to work together for sustainable development.
Key areas of collaboration highlighted during the address included: Sustainable Livestock Management: Leveraging BUAN’s expertise in animal health, genetics, and nutrition to improve livestock farming practices across the region. Agro-Tourism: Developing vocational training programs to empower youth and adults, positioning agro-tourism as a viable growth sector. Climate Change Adaptation: Collaborating on strategies to address climate change, including the introduction of climate-resilient crops like Safflower, a high-value crop poised to transform local agriculture. Youth Empowerment: Supporting young entrepreneurs through BUAN’s INCUHIVE program and the upcoming SECHABA program, offering mentorship and skills development for youth in agriculture and natural resources. SECHABA is an initiative focus on development of start-ups for out-of-school youth, and will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs. Youth will be assisted and mentored to develop Agriculture and Natural Resources start-ups for 3 – 12 months.
He concluded with a call to action: "We want to walk together, and by doing so, we will build a stronger, more sustainable Botswana for future generations." BUAN is eager to work alongside local and international partners to bring this vision to life.
#SustainableGrowth #Partnerships #GreenEconomy # #ClimateResilience