UB targets world class status
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday September 18, 2023 06:00
According to Norris, given the global competitiveness of higher education post COVID-19, UB will now focus more on strengthening core functions and co-creation with stakeholders to create value.
In line with the UB Act, which Norris referred to in the opening of the interview, the functions of the University shall include the following; providing higher education and training; advancing and disseminating knowledge through teaching; undertaking, promoting and facilitating research and scholarly investigations; supporting and contributing to the realisation of economic and social development of the nation; contributing to the cultural and social life of the community; and contributing to the advancement of the intellectual and human resource capacity of the international community.
Given the above, Norris said they have thus far only excelled in the first two functions and now look to moving rapidly to the third function of undertaking, promoting and facilitating research and scholarly investigations to ensure realisation of the other functions.
“We are not doing well in terms of research. We do research which is then not consumed. We are now developing a new organisational structure that will come with a refined performance management system collaborating with stakeholders to deliver better value. Transformation underlines financial sustainability, contribution to Botswana socio economic development, focus on research and development, optimism of service delivery and heighten student experience,” he said.
Furthermore, Norris said while other universities have been contributing enormously to economies of their countries, UB has been receiving most of its funds from Government. He said UB has just been doing research and now they need to ensure that the research results are turned into actual products that will bring in money.
Norris was quick to point out that while they want to transform, they are challenged with resource shortage which has already led to poor maintenance of infrastructure. He said despite these challenges, they do have some resources spared for transformation which they believe the output would be like of other renowned universities.
He said as per the Act, they will continue to establish relationships and collaborate with other persons or bodies, or other institutions of learning, higher education, training or research, within or outside Botswana; collaborate with business, professional, cultural, social or other interests; collaborate with alumni and associations of alumni and graduates of the University.
Quizzed on what would be done, Norris said trainers would be expected to be fully committed to the university’s work unless expected to gain experience to share with students. He said they are discussing terms to ensure that the University does not suffer while employees do their private businesses.
“The intention is that as the new creature takes shape, our students will be able to get employment anywhere, innovate, employ others and contribute to the growth of the economy. Stakeholders should feel empowered and be proud to associate with us. Staff members must feel the sense of pride to work for this university and give their best at all times. The University would be renowned locally and internationally,” he said.
On other matters, Norris said they will not be leaving behind their partners in other higher institutions of learning in both the public and private sector. He said they have thus far been collaborating with some of the institutions and intend to work with more as they believe it would not be worth it to transform alone. He said they are ready to share resources and collaborate with other institutions.
As a way to measure their progress, Norris said they have since started taking part in research impact surveys. He said in 2018, they got 11/ 100 and grew to 44/100 last year. While he acknowledges that the numbers are still poor, Norris said they strive to climb the charts through collaborations with various stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Norris has admitted that there could be job losses as part of the process. “In any transformation, you audit skill sets and see how best to deploy your human resources. It is however not automatic that people will lose jobs. If we have to get to retrenchments, it will have to be voluntary. If were are forced to retrench people, it shall be done accordingly,” he said.
Norris said they would also be looking at creating opportunities for those who could be laid out to work with the university as private service providers where possible.
Prior to joining UB, Professor Norris was Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), a position he had held since 2016. Before working for BIUST, he worked for the University of Limpopo ((formerly University of the North) of South Africa from 20016 to 2016. He also worked for Austin Peay State University in USA from 1998 to 2000.
He is a renowned scholar who has published widely in reputable journals. His notable strengths are in Innovative Teaching and Learning; Curriculum Development and Review; Research Development and Innovation; Higher Education Administration and Management; Change Management, Process Management and Strategic Leadership; with a notable record in research collaboration and research fundraising.
Since its inception in 1982, UB has had five Vice Chancellors in Professors John Turner (1982-1984), Thomas Tlou (1984-1998), Sharon Siverts (1998-2003),Bojosi Otlhogile (2003-2011) and Thabo Fako (2011-2017).
The institution has seen many challenges in the recent past with less number of students enrolling and staff members leaving. There were also issues of lack of funds. When he took to the helm in 2017, Norris said they were going to take advantage of partnerships they have with leading world universities to improve as an institution.
“Young people are extremely innovative and have great ideas and they need a platform to excel. The creative minds that we have, we should be able to nurture. We have special committees, we have agreements with universities such as Harvard and we are going to take advantage of these agreements to build this institution. The goodwill for this institution is massive,” Norris said.