20 Feb 2026

The University of Botswana is undergoing major transformation following the adoption of its 2020-2029 strategy, which aims to reposition the institution as a higher learning institution, Minister of Higher Education, Mr Prince Maele has said. 

Responding to a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Maele said a consulting firm was engaged to review the university’s organisational structure and performance management systems, owing to misalignment with the new strategic direction. 

The minister said as a result, a comprehensive restructuring process was initiated in March 2020, focused on creating an organisational design that supported research, increased efficiency and channeled more resources towards academic functions. 

He said the university’s act and statutes had been under review by its council, adding that once the process was complete, the amendments would be published in the Government Gazette in due course. 

He said the UB statues on the other hand were amended at the sole discretion of the University council, adding that the council had resolved that it shall be reviewing statues on an ongoing basis to ensure alignment with the new organisational structure and any new processes and procedures. 

The minister further said the latest amendments to the University of Botswana statutes were published to the university community on January 30, 2026, adding that its council was in place and had begun convening meetings.  He said he was aware of the frustrations and disgruntlements regarding the restructuring process, saying he was however satisfied with the progress thus far and remained hopeful that the remaining process would be completed amicably by the target date of March this year. 

He was answering the question from Maun West MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, who had wanted an update on the restructuring process at the University of Botswana. 

Mr Hikuama had also asked the minister to state whether the University of Botswana Act and related statutes were revised and the dates of the revision, if any. 

He had also wanted to know whether the Act and statutes were availed to the university community and public, if there was a university council and if the minister was satisfied with the entire restructuring. ENDS