University of Wisconsin Madison pays VC Courtesy Call

A delegation from the University of Wisconsin Madison in the United State of America pays the University of Botswana Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris a courtesy call on August 28, 2018 to explore possibilities for future collaboration and cooperation on research, education and training which are conceived to be beneficial for both institutions.

The delegation comprised of the head Mr Nathan Schulfer, Professor Tim Van Deelen (forestry and wild life ecology), Dr.Tery Allendorf (forest and wild life ecology), Professor Rick Keller (international division) Professor Don Waller (botany department) and Mr Tony Carol (international division), Ms Justyn Huckleberry (UW doctoral student).

The University of Botswana Vice Chancellor Professor Norris said it is very essential for the university to foster collaboration on research with external stakeholders and international Universities such as Wisconsin Madison to close its research gap and address societal needs and challenges. Professor Norris also noted that collaboration between the two institutions will be useful from side to side by sharing knowledge, skills and eventually uplift UB research development status that would be impactful to Batswana and Southern Region as well.

He also advised them to partner with Okavango Research Institute (ORI) which is dedicated to the study of wetland and watershed management in the Okavango River Basin, SADC region and beyond.

Professor Norris also highlighted that low level of research output by the University of Botswana was mainly due to its low economic development in early years of its inception which was mainly focused on primarily boosting human capital at the time, to work in government and private sector hence creating a gap in research output.

“UB has grown and fully matured, it is time to intensify research work through partnering with the best institutions such as Wisconsin Madison to tap in to their knowledge and skill and ensure that whatever we do is inclined with the development of the country. And it is part of our mandate and vision to have University of Botswana as leading research in to problem bedevilling our society and come up with innovative ways of solving them,” said Professor Norris.

In addition Prof Norris highlighted some challenges that are still facing the university to be research intensive such as lack of sponsors and funds for researcher as well as undergraduates. On the other hand UB Faculty Deans and Heads of departments also buttressed his presentation by enumerating a number of environmental science research projects, community projects and industry collaborations that their faculties and departments were engaged in.

On his part University of Wisconsin- Madison Head of the Delegation Mr Nathan Schulfer said they are eager to bring experience to work with University of Botswana and to harvest their full potential in a way that will benefit Botswana and Motswana, the region of Southern Africa, and ultimately the world and to learning from UB in the process.

“UW has long been a global university with enrolment over 6,500 international students every year. We send 2,000 students to programs in other countries every year, with most of those students participating in semester or year-long programs which deliver a truly immersive experience. This includes a program through which we will send 15 students to Botswana next summer,” said Mr Schulfer.

With regard to research promotion Mr Schulfer pointed out that they have one of the top five research budgets in the country, at over $1B per year, and largest contiguous campus in the US. He further stated that they host a program, the King-Morgridge Scholarship, which brings 6 new exceptional students from developing countries to the campus each year, who receive a fully funded 4-year scholarship, including a budget for travel, computer expenses, and winter clothing.

“We house seven federally funded National Resource Centres which foster study of every region in the world in our Institute for Regional and International Studies, including the largest and oldest African Studies program in the United States if not the world. And we house an International Projects Office, which fosters collaboration with governments, universities, and institutions around the world,” said Mr Schulfer.

At the end of the presentations the UW delegation were taken on tour of the some facilities at the University, among them the Sir Ketumile Masire Hospital, the Campus Indoor Sports Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences and the UB Conference Centre and later treated on sumptuous lunch.

WALT DISNEY WORLD COMES TO UB ON RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Scores of potential students from different parts of Africa converged on the University of Botswana Conference Centre on August 24, 2018 to be quizzed for a 12-month internship at world's renowned Walt Disney Company in the United States of America.
The interviews attracted fourth-year UB Tourism and Hospitality students in the Faculty of Business and others from Ghana, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Angola and South Africa.
The Walt Disney Company is an American establishment operating around the world and, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, it is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with a number of business segments.
These include media networks, parks, experiences and consumer products as well as studio entertainment.
The interview session was organised by the UB Department of Tourism and Hospitality in conjunction with the Careers and Counselling Centre.
The Walt Disney Company was represented by international recruitment team members, Ms Jill Jacobsen; Ms Katy Kreco from the Animal, Science and Environment Programme and Ms Regina Maluta from the International Recruitment Culinary Training Programme.
Speaking at the event, Head of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Ms Montle Siya, a Disney alumni, urged the interviewees to make use of the Disney Internship Training programme to build upon skills they learnt in class within a family of legendary brands passionate about creating world class experiences on a global scale.
“The five to seven months training programme with Disney Company will allow participants to network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication,” said Ms Siya.
Career and counselling Centre Director, Dr Lucky Odirile, urged those who would be enrolled for the internship to return home upon completion of training in the USA to contribute towards the development of their home countries.
Dr Odirile said assured the participants once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the US as they would learn from one of the world’s most innovative entertainment companies.
“You’ll also gain valuable leadership, presentation and customer service skills, all things that Disney is known for worldwide,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Jacobsen noted that the participants would have the opportunity to share unique cultures and customs of their countries with guests, while working in different frontline and guest facing roles.
Similarly, Ms Maluta said the internship programme allowed international culinary participants to gain exposure to all areas of the kitchen operation, including the ability to understand financial aspects of a food and beverage operation.
“Participants are exposed to various food stations within the kitchen and become familiar with the menu and products of the restaurant. The participant will refine culinary skills within the kitchen department,” said Ms Maluta.
As for Ms Kreco, she said Disney's Animal Programme was responsible for the care and welfare of animals across Walt Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge.
She added that Disney's Animal Programme also shared conservation messages with guests, the cast while championing the wise use of resources across the Walt Disney World Resort Property.

 School of Medicine celebrates 79 young doctors

 The University of Botswana School Medicine celebrated the 5th cohort of 79 young doctors who graduated with Bachelor Degrees in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at the Phakalane Golf Estate Resort on August 17, 2018.
Speaking at Inaugural Convocation Dinner for the Class of 2018, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr Oatlhokwa Nkomazana said of the number, 69 graduated from the University of Botswana while the rest were from abroad.
Dr Nkomazana said the young doctors would soon be going for internship in public hospitals. Since its inception in 2009, the Medical School has so far graduated 200 doctors and most of them practise in public hospitals.
Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor David Sebudubudu encouraged the graduates to work hard for the country as well as to be kind, respectful and caring to their clients.
 Professor Sebudubudu also advised them to always abide by their professional ethical code of conduct and to be part of the solutions instead of the problem. In addition, he urged them to take their internship training seriously and to face challenges in their profession head on.
“Make use of the internship training opportunity and invest in your curriculum vitae,” said Professor David Sebudubudu.
He also urged the graduates to further their studies at University of Botswana Medical School because the University was well endowed with resource and expertise.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellnes,s Ms Ruth Maphorisa, also advised the graduates to treat their client with respect and to honor work and the profession’s ethics.
Ms Maphorisa said their contribution was very essential in assisting Government and the Ministry to be more progressive. She also advised the young doctors to be cautious when dealing with their clients because some of them may not necessarily present clinical deficiencies but social issues that needed to be referred to other professionals.
The Permanent Secretary also advised the graduates to be part of team work and study the environment where they would be engaged as well as to be vigilant with their mental health to avoid conditions such as depression. She also advised the graduates to exercise to keep fit and to have a sound mind and stress free life.

NIGERIA TAPS INTO UB’S ANTI-GRAFT EFFORTS

A Delegation from Nigerian’s Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption paid a courtesy call on then Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Martin Mokgwathi, on August 14, 2018, to learn first-hand efforts by the University of Botswana to combat corruption.
The delegation comprised seven members among them the Chairman, Professor Itse Sagay, Executive Secretary, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Program Officer/Consultant, Kelechi Amadi, Project Accountant, Musa Alhamdu and three members, Professor Femi Odekunle, Professor Etannibi Alemika and Professor Sadiq Isa Radda.
Responding to questions on the contribution of the University of Botswana in the fight against corruption, Professor Mokgwathi stated that the University was doing fairly well in terms of managing corruption.
Professor Mokgwathi was committed to “zero tolerance” of corruption, given the high level of honesty and transparency in most transaction across different departments and faculties. He also said the student admission system was tight and broad and the staff strictly adhered to rules and regulation notwithstanding occasional incidents of some who tried to beat the system.
“University of Botswana has a well-developed set of anti-corruption laws that work in harmony with one another and create a good framework to combat corruption crimes ranging from corrupt recruitment and admission procedures, illegal procurement of goods and services. And other corruption crimes such as financial fraud, professional misconduct (such as nepotism and plagiarism), academic fraud (such as soft marking, graduation, biased grading, falsifying academic records and paying for grades),” said Professor Mokgwathi.
With regard to promoting access to higher education, Professor Mokgwathi said most students were government funded through loans, grants or partial grants, which were determined by the priority of the field of study administered by Department of Student Placement and Welfare in the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Sciences and Technology.
Head of the Department of Business Management, Mr Rebana Mmereki, said the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) took lead in investigations, corruption prevention and public education. However, the decision whether to prosecute rested with the attorney general. Mr Mmereki also said they were conducting a research on corruption to influence policies in the fight against crime and to integrate such in their academic programmes.
On the other hand, UB Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance, Mr Mendel Nlanda, said historically, Botswana’s good governance and democracy bequeathed by previous leaders contributed towards low levels of corruption and set the foundation for current leaders to carry along the values and the rule of Law.
Mr Nlanda further stated that Botswana’s small population also contributed to low levels of corruption. Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Mr Shathiso Nlebgwa also shared the same sentiments and alluded to the fact that UB had statute provision for conflict of interest. Mr Nlebgwa the University was implementing a policy on the protection of whistle-blowers in the fight against crime.