15 Sep 2013

The incoming chairperson of the University of Botswana Council, Mr Parks Tafa has promised to continue with the legacy of growth and success of the institution by addressing new challenges with the ingenuity necessary for a new world order.

Speaking at a farewell reception hosted for the outgoing chairperson, Justice Elijah Legwaila on September 13 at Phakalane, Mr Tafa said it was his sincere belief that Justice Legwaila would continue to be a source of inspiration and wisdom to him.

“I believe that with him and the UB community behind me, together we will take UB to greater heights and write another legacy for this national asset,” he said.

Mr Tafa said he was inspired by the physical developments at the university which makes it one of Africa’s well-resourced institutions of higher learning.

He said the years of growth were symbolic of the type of leadership Justice Legwaila provided to the nation through his service to the university.

“He served with great honour, humility, integrity and selfless commitment to the development of the institution, and with a heart for the welfare of the university community,” he said.

For his part, Justice Legwaila said although the university has an impressive record, it continued to experience challenges which include the inability to attract and retain academic staff.

He said this has a bearing on the university’s ability to deliver programmes to the expected level.

He noted that today’s lives depend on digital technology and that he expects the university would take the lead in developing a robust digital environment that would ensure that things like student registration are done on time.

Justice Legwaila said as chair, he believed that it was the vice chancellors’s responsibility as chief executive officer to guide, lead and manage the university.

On other issues, Justice Legwaila thanked the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to have not transferred the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) from the university.

He said the council believed that such a move would dismember UB and disrupt the course the university had set.

He said he was happy that he retires with the full knowledge that he leaves the university in safe hands, adding that the incoming chairpeson was not only a capable lawyer and corporate leader but more importantly an alumnus of the institution.

Justice Legwaila served as chairperson of the University of Botswana Council for a period of over 14 years.

His service began in 1998, a time when UB was undergoing a number of changes that included amongst other things, semesterization, full implementation of the 1999/2000 restructuring exercise, quality assurance and the performance management system.

He served under three vice chancellors being Professor Sharon Siverts, Professor Bojosi Otlhogile and the current vice chancellor Professor Thabo Fako. Former president Sir

Ketumile Masire, who is also the chancellor of the university graced the occasion by giving a speech about the birth of the university. Ends