UB To Up Enrolment - Otlhogile

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Monday October 12, 2009 00:00

 

Speaking at the UB graduation ceremony on Saturday, the vice chancellor said: 'The University of Botswana and Botswana College of Agriculture are committed to meeting the needs of human resource development of the nation in line with the national human resource development strategy and the targets set in the tertiary education policy.  The university is also committed to taking a lead in promoting the opportunities for articulation from programmes of other institutions in order to improve access, progression and lifelong learning,' he said.

Prof Otlhogile stated that expansion of physical facilities at the university would be completed during the first part of the NDP10 period.  He stated that the latest project is the construction of a world-class sports centre that will enable the university to contribute to the improvement of the national capacity in sports science, therapy and rehabilitation.  He said it would extend research and academic programming in the development of sports management, leadership in sport, high performing athletes and training skills for increased effectiveness in international competitive sporting events. 

'These developments will expand participation in sport and enhance the country's potential for success at an international level,' he said.

Otlhogile also mentioned that there are plans to start work early next year on a new student hostel, to address the acute student accommodation problem.  He added that the current building programme will enable the university to enroll 16, 000 full-time undergraduates on the Gaborone campus by 2016.  Otlhogile said that they are also committed to the development of Maun, the campus, during the 2013/14 financial year. 

Former president and UB Chancellor, Sir Ketumile Masire said that the university has undergone transformation from initiatives by its management and council, but also due to changes in its external environment such as globalisation and competition.    

Sir Ketumile announced that UB has ambitions of being a research-intensive tertiary education institution. He however mentioned that those ambitions could be realised only when its graduates practise what they have learnt. He advised graduates to make an impact in their communities.  He said that at this time of recession, there is need for guidance through research from educated youths on measures to improve the country's economy.