The goal of this mission is to provide a unique opportunity for Canadian university and college representatives to identify partnership opportunities through engagement with senior University of Botswana faculty, other tertiary institutions including the Council for Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), research institutions, colleges and government ministries.
Through WUSC, Canada has hosted over 800 students on Ministry of Education and Ministry of Local Government Scholarships at degree and postgraduate level. Now our institutions want to continue our relationship through creation of student and faculty exchange opportunities and support of in-country capacity building of tertiary institutions. These opportunities will broaden and deepen common areas of learning within an increased understanding of one another's biophysical, socio-political and economic environments.
Expected outcomes from the mission include increased student mobility opportunities (exchanges, internships) between Canada and Botswana; joint degree and diploma programs; faculty exchanges; opportunities for joint research, and ways in which Canadian institutions and WUSC can help build capacities for BIUST and other TEC institutions.
Participating Canadian institutions are: Guelph University - Dr Alastair Summerlee (President Guelph U and Chair of WUSC Board of Directors), Humber College - Dr Kent Schroeder (International partnerships), Trent University - Dr Tim Stapleton (Chair Dept of History),University of Manitoba - Dr Richard Lobdell ( Vice-Provost) and Evelyn Forget (Faculty of Medicine),University of New Brunswick - Dr Lee Jolifee (Director International Office),Wilfred Laurier University - Dr Peter Farrugia ( History and Contemporary Studies), and WUSC Executive Director - Paul Davidson (who represents membership of over 50 Universities and Colleges in Canada)
The Mission will begin in Maun on April 30 with a visit to Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) and visit to a research site on May 1. On May 2, they will meet with the TEC and then UB. Meetings with BIUST on April 4, BOCODOL, Botswana Accountancy Coolege, Botswana College of Agriculture and other institutions have been set up by TEC. A reception for government, and tertiary institutions and partners of WUSC will be hosted by WUSC the evening of May 3.
These missions have been delivering results for Canadian university and college members and showcasing WUSC's award-winning work around the world. The Mission will have some time to meet WUSC volunteers and visit some of the tourism sites such as Chobe (Kasane), Maun (and flight into the Okavango) and Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
