1,063 Graduates celebrate success at University of Botswana

Botswana: One thousand and sixty three (1063) graduates from institutions affiliated with the University of Botswana (UB) were conferred with diploma certificates at the 13th combined graduation ceremony which was held at the UB Sports Arena on 15th September 2023.

The class of 2023 graduands received their qualifications in the areas of health, education and technical and vocational education, from which 324 were from Institutes of Health Sciences, 501 from Colleges of Education, 208 from Botswana College of Engineering and Technology (BCET) and 30 from the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE).

When officiating under the theme “Innovation and Emerging Trends in Higher Education, A Key to Sustainable Knowledge Based Economy”, the Acting Minister of Education and Skills Development, Nnaniki Makwinja said the relevance of the theme cannot be overemphasised as the ever evolving world calls for institutions to reset and come up with new innovation strategies that bear relevance to the global trends and demands.

“There is a mismatch between institutions and what is required in the labour market particularly in our institutions. For example we are producing more and more secondary school teachers when the need lies in primary education, so I am going to plead that we reset and strategise and follow our Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) needs that have been identified.”

The Minister emphasised that embracing the concept of mindset change set by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi can enable the country to achieve its goals hence its greatness.

For his part the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mmoloki Raletobana, called on graduands to do things differently so as to effect positive mindset change and realise improved productivity and growth in the economy. Mr Raletobana also urged graduates to meaningfully utilise the knowledge and skills they have acquired and deliver efficient and effective services.