05 Dec 2017

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Alfred Madigele, has appointed Professor David Norris as the sixth Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana.

A press release from the University of Botswana says the appointment is with effect from December 1, 2017.

The release says prior to joining UB, Professor Norris was Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), a position he had held since 2016.

He also worked for the University of Limpopo (formerly University of the North) in South Africa where he served as director of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences between 2001 and 2016.

Professor Norris also worked for Austin Peay State University in the USA from 1998 to 2000.

The release says he is a graduate of the University of Botswana having obtained a BSc in Biology and Physics in 1988 after which he worked for the Department of Agricultural Research as well as a part time biology lecturer at UB.

Professor Norris holds a PhD in Animal Science obtained from Michigan State University (USA) attained in 1998 with a major in Animal Breeding and Genetics, and minors in Statistics and Animal Biotechnology.

It further says he holds an MSc in Animal and Forage Science obtained from the University of Reading (UK) in 1991 with a major in Animal Production and minors in Biochemistry.

In addition, Prof. Norris received a Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Research for Development in 2008 from the University of Wageningen International Centre for Development Oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA) in the Netherlands.

The announcement also notes that Professor Norris is a renowned scholar who has published widely in reputable journals, his notable strengths in innovative teaching and learning; curriculum development and review; research development and innovation; higher education administration and management; change management, process management and strategic leadership and a notable record in research collaboration and research fundraising. Ends