Letting Go Off BA ISAGO Was Painful � Gabasiane
Baboki Kayawe | Monday November 28, 2016 16:31
The university recently partnered with South Africa’s leading education provider, Curro Holdings in a move that BA ISAGO shareholders say will tap into the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company’s expertise as well as bring the local entity’s experience to augment business and optimise quality education.
During a media briefing on the 50% sale to the South African company, Gabasiane likened the transaction to a family handing over its only child for adoption. Though a hurting experience, he said it has to be done if it is in the best interest of the child.
“I thought long and hard; it was a painful decision. But it was a bold and practical decision in the best interest of our students, staff, the business and the region,” he said.
Due to financial circumstances that saw the institution knocking at the doors of financial service providers locally and looking for investors beyond boarders, this led to this pragmatic decision to partner with Curro, which has over R10 billion market capitalisation.
As for of its infrastructure expansion meant to double student enrolment at the Gaborone campus, Gabasiane explained that the university has been looking for about P500 million in last three to four years for project completion. Moreover, plans to undertake infrastructure developments in Francistown and Maun where the institution has land but currently operating on leased premises are in the books.
“These intentions have not been informed by the new dispensation, they have always been part of our long-term plans for the past five years,” Gabasiane said.
The Francistown campus is earmarked for Tourism and Hospitality studies, as the market has indicated demand in the subject, explained Gabasiane.
The partnership therefore is expected to truly internationalise BA ISAGO because at the moment the institution can only afford to pay a limited number of highly qualified professors but with cash injection from the Curro, more of such will be engaged.
In addition, BA ISAGO envisions starting operations in Zambia where the company registered back in 2008. Last week, the South African company with around 115 schools, and breaking in the university market now, acquired 50% of the homegrown higher education entity. The transaction was facilitated through Curro’s wholly owned subsidiary, The Embury Institute for Higher Education.