The University of Botswana and the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona Campus, in Jamaica has signed a Collaborative Agreement following a two-day visit by a team of six delegates from the University of Botswana (UB) headed by Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris.
The group visited the campus on Thursday, May 16 to enhance efforts to connect with the Caribbean Community and to explore new collaborative opportunities between the two academic institutions.
The recent meeting formalized the partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which focuses on cooperation in research, governance, academic publications, student and staff exchanges, and teaching and learning.
The University of Botswana’s team of delegates also met with top representatives at the University of the West Indies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor, Denzel A. Williams and Acting Deputy Principal, Professor Marvin Reid.
In addressing the UWI representatives, Professor Norris expressed his gratitude to Professor Willams and the University of the West Indies for hosting the University of Botswana’s team and emphasized that “both institutions can collaborate to overcome common challenges affecting our societies today. We share similar structures and have many areas where we can work together to address significant problems that governments and industries struggle to solve.”
The UB delegation also visited the PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy, and held discussions with statesman-in-residence, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson, along with Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, patron; Mickel Hylton, chief research officer and Professor Paulette Ramsay, research fellow.
In the meeting the participants explored joint efforts to address environmental and cultural issues that can strengthen economic ties. The University of Botswana delegation aimed to develop collaborations in media and cultural studies, tourism and hospitality management and sports development, and aiming also to identify any additional potential opportunities in creative arts, trade and economic relations, climate change, food security, technology, and sports medicine.
The five-year agreement (MOU) confirms the discussions between former Prime Minister, PJ Patterson and Professor Norris and bring to life the shared vision of Pro-vice Chancellor principal, professor Williams, UWI and Vice Chancellor, Professor Norris, UB for a stronger bond between the two universities.
