He leaves the institution at the end of July when his contract as professor of history expires.
Tlou first joined the tripartite university, which was known as the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, in October 1971 as a lecturer. He rose over the years to become senior lecturer and associate professor. In 1975, he was promoted to the apex of academia as a full professor. Among the positions he held were head of department of history, dean of humanities, acting founding director of the former National Institute of Research, acting rector of the University College of Botswana, which was then part of the University of Botswana and Swaziland and Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana.
He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana in 1984, taking over from Professor John Turner of the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. In 1998, he retired as Vice Chancellor and was succeeded by Professor Sharon Siverts. He reverted to the faculty of humanities where he resumed his duties as professor of history on contract terms.
Tlou previously served as ambassador to the United Nations between July 1976 and March 1980. He rejoined the university at the end of his tour of duty.
Tlou has been awarded a string of professional and academic honours. He is the recipient of the Presidential Order of Honour, and an honour by the French government in recognition of his academic achievements. He is a recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Law from Ohio University (USA) and an Honorary Doctor of Literature of Luther College also in the United States.
Tlou was born in June 1932. He is married to the Minister of Health Professor Sheila Tlou, herself a former UB employee.
Among the three books which he published alone and together with others are History of Botswana, which he co-authored with Alec Campbell; A History of Ngamiland, of which he is the sole author; and Seretse Khama 1921-1980, which he published with Neil Parsons and Willie Henderson. He has contributed chapters in seven books and articles in eight refereed journals and book chapters.
As Vice Chancellor, he initiated the wide-ranging university restructuring exercise embracing both administrative and academic spheres. The greatest expansion of UB in infrastructure and academic offerings occurred during his term as Vice Chancellor.
Tlou has served in many national and international bodies and commissions either as a member or chairperson. He is the current chairperson of the Tertiary Education Council (TEC), the Botswana Institute of Development Policy Analysis, (BIDPA) and, until recently, the Botswana National Council on Education.
