17 Jun 2019

Employees need to be committed to ensure organisational programmes are aligned to the global competitive environment.

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Mr Thapelo Olopeng said this during the University of Botswana (UB) inaugural long service staff awards in Gaborone recently.

Minister Olopeng applauded the university for its commitment to creating a conducive environment for its staff, which he said was in line with the foot print of commitment and unwavering dedication as well as selflessness that the institution was built upon.

He commended the recipients of the awards, saying that it was through their tireless efforts and dedication that UB had achieved milestones in becoming the regional leader in education that it is today.

The minister further urged management of the university to realise that the socio-economic development of Botswana and its trajectory to transforming into a knowledge-based economy solely depended on their capacity to direct and champion initiatives that transform the economy.

“It is of paramount importance that usable research pervades every undertaking of the education agenda to ensure that Botswana aligns with the regional and global competitive environment,” the minister said.

The UB long service staff awards ceremony recognised and celebrated both the academic and support staff of the institution who had worked for 10 to 47 years in their various jobs to build and maintain the stature of the university.

While giving an overview of the institution, Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris said that critical to any good and productive work place were the ethos of good attitude and ethical conduct.

Professor Norris said without the two qualities embedded with any person who aspired to be a good employee, productivity levels would fall and the university would not have been what it is at present.

He attributed the university’s retention of its staff over the years to their long standing tradition of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, which he said were the ingredients for any organisation in good standing.

He further congratulated the recipients of the awards and shared that it was only through their tireless efforts that the University had reached premier learning institution status.ENDS