14 Oct 2018

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has vowed to assist the University of Botswana to become relevant to the demands of a knowledge-based economy.

President Masisi also pledged to develop national and international links that would help advance the vision and mission of the university as a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and the world.

Receiving an Honorary Doctorate from UB on October 13, President Masisi said he was delighted that the university bestowed upon him such high honour.

He is the 16^th recipient of the honourary degree of Doctor of Laws of the University of Botswana since 1982.

He said the conferment reinforced his belief that the university held a critical key to the economic development and diversification of the country.

He expressed gratitude to the university for finding him worthy of recognition, and reaffirmed his trust on the leadership of the university.

He also noted that UB had been a training ground for thousands of captains of industry and the civil service. 

He added that the university had for the past 36 years provided service to the nation by offering highly relevant internationally recognised service focused education.

President Masisi highlighted that education remained government priority, and that it was the foundation on which government would be able to diversify to a knowledge-based economy in accordance with the global trajectory.

 He said government would continue to create an enabling environment that would facilitate the growth and diversification of the economy with the goal of providing the much needed employment for the youth.

President Masisi congratulated the 2 273 graduates, expressing hope that they had been empowered with knowledge and skills that would enable them to be creative, resourceful and innovative in contributing to the country’s economy. ENDS