22 Oct 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has been inaugurated as the first chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).

In his acceptance speech after his installation as BUAN’s first chancellor by BUAN governing council chairperson, Mr Neo Moroka on October 20, President Khama said he accepted his role as BUAN chancellor with great sense of pride and optimism. 

The inauguration ceremony coincided with BUAN’s 50^th anniversary celebration- having been officially opened on October 1, 1967.

In his inaugural speech, President Khama reminded his audience that  upon becoming President, he pledged to transform the agricultural sector by improving production in both arable and livestock sub-sectors through commercialisation to improve food security.

Therefore, he commended BUAN for having made significant contribution to the country’s human capital development in the agriculture sector, saying the country’s gains regarding natural resources conservation were also evident.

“My vision for this institution is to see the three tenets of a university, that is; teaching, research and civic engagement being espoused to their greatest potential,” he said.

As an institution that aspires to be a university of international repute, President Khama said the institution needed to always update its curriculum to offer training that distinguished it as a university that offered the best. 

“In addition, the research output must provide practical solutions that can be adopted by our society,” he added. 

He said he was aware of challenges the university faced, such as; ageing facilities that needed to be upgraded, the learning environment of students, as well as staff welfare which also needed attention and promised to address the challenges. 

Further, President Khama urged BUAN governing council, management, staff and students to work hard to make the university a centre of excellence in the region and a pride of the nation and also wished the university growth and prosperity. 

“We must continue to grow the agriculture sector by continuing to produce highly qualified graduates, as well as relevant technologies for our local environment,” he added.

Giving a key note address, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, congratulated President Khama for his inauguration as BUAN’s first chancellor, saying it was such a momentous achievement. 

Mr Ralotsia also paid tribute to the development partners who supported Botswana government to grow the university to its current stature, whom amongst others, include; British Oversees Development Administration, Freedom from Hunger Campaign, United States Agency for International Development, Kellogg Foundation, Finnish Government, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

“They contributed to the development of the physical infrastructure, acquisition of teaching and research equipment, staff development and academic programmes development,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to UB for nurturing BUAN through academic oversight and participation in its governance structures.  

Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources governing council deputy chairman, Mr Sir-Wonder Masebola, in his vote of thanks, said BUAN was revamping its programmes to ensure they were tailor made to meet the country’s economic demand. 

“We want our programmes to be up with what the dictates of the country want,” he added.

Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion was; Vice President and University of Botswana Chancellor, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Cabinet ministers, Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi, members of the Diplomatic Corps, permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries, BUAN acting vice chancellor, Prof. Khumoetsile Mmolawa, as well as UB vice chancellor, Prof. Kgomotso Moahi. ENDS