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.