19 Dec 2016

There are no plans to close the University of Botswana (UB), despite public speculation to that effect, the Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Alfred Madigele has said.

Presenting a statement to Parliament on Friday (December 16), Dr Madigele said his ministry was working closely with the university council and management on developing operational issues.

“This statement is meant to offer assurance to this house, employees of the university, the nation at large and all stakeholders that the future of the University of Botswana is guaranteed and there are no plans to close it,” Dr Madigele said.

He added that the university council chairperson has briefed him on the concerns by staff about how the institution is run, and such issues are being taken serious. Dr Madigele further said his ministry is committed to providing requisite support to the university in order to enable it to execute its duties.

“We have been able to pay all the subventions that are due to the university.  For the current financial year, we have paid P175 750 000 for each quarter.  The only remaining payment is for the last quarter of the current financial year,” Dr Madigele said.

Over P196 million was paid to the university in tuition fees for the just ended first semester, and the minister assured parliament that payments would be made for the second semester.

“As far as we know, baring unforeseen circumstances, given the current cash flow, based on the payment of both the subvention and tuition fees, the university should be able to have a surplus at the end of the current financial year, projected at around P40 million,” Dr Madigele said.

He further said that the government aspires to see UB and other institutions of higher learning excel in their duty of producing a strong cadre of well-trained human resource.

“Our plan as a ministry is that our public institutions, UB included should maximise on the resources at their disposal.  That being the case our emphasis shall be on ensuring that tertiary education and research institutions should collaborate in the development of programmes that will have a positive impact upon our nation,” Dr Madigele said.

He said that his ministry would focus on building synergies and facilitating collaboration, networking and co-production among institutions of higher learning. ENDS