Botswana Strengthens Ties with North West University
- Karen Scheepers
- Aug 21
- 1 min read
A delegation from the North West University, led by principal and vice-chancellor Prof Bismark Tyobeka, visited Botswana from 11 to 12 August. The visit aimed to build academic partnerships, strengthen regional cooperation, and explore opportunities for collaboration between institutions in South Africa and Botswana.
Key Engagements
The programme included a meeting with the South African High Commissioner to Botswana, Her Excellency Thaninga Shope Soumah, who emphasised the role of academic cooperation in bilateral relations. The delegation also held discussions with the Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Relations, Dimpho Mogami.
Engagements extended to Botswana’s higher education sector, where meetings took place with Botho University and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN).
Areas of Collaboration
Talks focused on a range of initiatives, including collaborative research, student and staff exchange programmes, training in agriculture and entrepreneurship, virtual internships, and joint participation in academic expos. Attention was also given to student life support and sport development.
Agriculture emerged as a key area of mutual interest, with discussions centred on climate change, water scarcity, sustainable production methods, and expanding market access for smallholding farmers.
Regional Outlook
The visit forms part of NWU’s broader strategy to promote regional cooperation and human capital development across the Southern African Development Community. Strengthening partnerships with Botswana is positioned as an important step in creating sustainable solutions to shared challenges in the region.
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