It is expected that his Excellency the President and the UB chancellor Festus Mogae will grace the occasion.
The guest speaker will be Cyril Ramaphosa, previously a major figure in South African national politics who in recent years has become a prominent member of the business community.
“The dinner promises to be fun-filled and exciting with performances of Afro-Brazilian dancing by Letsatsi Dance and Theatre and music for dancing of guests provided by Ndingo Johwa and the BDF Dance Band,” the statement said.
The UBF, which is the fundraising arm of the UB was launched in 2000 as a non-profit making Trust to engage the public, the private sector and other stakeholders in partnerships with the UB.
The funds raised from these partnerships contribute to the wider development of the university.
“Being the country’s highest seat of learning, the university faces significant challenges in ensuring that as many Batswana as possible have access to higher education. If the university is to maintain quality and strive for excellence, increased involvement by the private and public sectors is essential”.
The statement noted that the proceeds from the event would be used to grow the Endowment Fund, which was launched at last year’s dinner, which was established to provide scholarships for graduate students at the UB.
The amount invested in the Endowment Fund now exceeds one million Pula and the interest earned during 2003/2004 will provide two scholarships in each of the five faculties at the UB in the coming academic year.
The theme of this year’s dinner Towards a More Enterprising Botswana will focus on the importance accorded to developing enterprise in Botswana.
Funds from the 2004 Dinner/Dance will be paid into the Endowment Fund and are earmarked to support MBA students.
“Excellence in higher education will enable the UB and its students to make a greater contribution to the economic and social development of Botswana”.
