09 Oct 2016

The University Of Botswana (UB) on Saturday (October 8) conferred a Doctor of Letters honorary degree on President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama during a graduation ceremony held at the UB Stadium.

The university stated that the honour was in recognition of the President’s distinguished long service to the nation.

The UB vice chancellor for Academic and Students Affairs Dr Martin Mokgwathi said President Khama was worthy of the honorary degree due to his outstanding service to the country.

“He is not only the President of the Republic of Botswana but also Kgosikgolo of Bangwato. His Excellency served in the Botswana Police Mobile Unit after his training in Nigeria.

He then proceeded to serve for a number of years in the Botswana Defence Force where he was the youngest Brigadier. He then became Commander from 1989 to 1998 when he became the Vice-President of this Republic. In 2008 he became the President of this country,” Dr Mokgwathi said.

Furthermore, he said the President was a philanthropist and conservationist of note who had received a number of international awards.

Dr Mokgwathi added that the government, headed by President Khama, had significantly helped the University of Botswana to become a leading academic institution.

“Since its humble beginnings as an independent institution in 1982 the university is now the pride of the nation. It now boasts of world class state of the art facilities and internationally recognised academic programmes, scholars and professionals,” Dr Mokgwathi said.

President Khama expressed happiness at the gesture by the university.

“It is a very special moment in time to be honoured with an honorary degree. For me, it was such when I was first conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Konkuk in South Korea last year, and now by our own University of Botswana, an institution with an impressive record,” Dr Khama said, adding that he accepted the honorary degree with humility, appreciation and pride.
The President extended his congratulations to the graduates for their accomplishments. ENDS