The UK Universities Expo, held from 8th to 9th February under the patronage of the British Council and British High Commission, has been highly praised by most Batswana who felt it was useful and well-timed.
Speaking at the official opening of the expo, British High Commissioner to Botswana, Jennifer Anderson, commended the government’s determination to invest in the education of its youth and understanding that economic diversification can only come from a skilled and well trained workforce.
She said the UK, mainly through the British Council, has been committed to supporting the education and prosperity of Batswana since independence. “Historically, we have provided hundreds of teachers a year, scholarships to the UK and of course much of Botswana’s school curriculum through the Cambridge examinations system,” she said.
“We are delighted that so many young Batswana are seeking to improve their prospects and skills in the UK,” Anderson added. “Last year over 200 Batswana chose British universities and started courses there.”
Some of the institutions that participated at the expo included ABMA, ACCA Royal Veterinary College, Coventry University, CIMA, London School of Commerce, and John Luke Associates represented 42 institutions. Also present were 15 institutions that were represented locally.
Anderson said that the British Council is committed to building partnerships between Botswana’s institutes of higher education and British Universities, some of which can lead to study in the UK. A good example is the link between the University of Botswana and the University of Edinburgh in the field of law, and with the Leeds University in sports management.
“We are increasingly looking to support educational providers here in Botswana to ensure that Batswana get the best possible value for money,” she said.
Anderson announced the opening of applications for the 2011 Chevening Scholarship Programme. Applications will close at the end of March. The awards are provided to enable future decision-makers and opinion formers to expand their knowledge, establish links and deepen their familiarity with the UK, and gain new professional skills or update existing ones.
“This year we hope to select between 2 and 4 graduate Batswana of the highest caliber and potential to study in the UK from September,” she said.
Previous Chevening Scholars have studied in a variety of subjects areas including: international law; human rights; economics; journalism and media studies; environment studies; political science and international relations; health; and gender studies. Alumni work in government, NGOs and the private sector.
“The turnout has been impressive considering that this is the first expo we have conducted in Botswana,” said Boitumelo Kgangetsile, the British Council Projects Coordinator.
She said about 500 people visited the exhibition and 310 registered to be part of the British Council database for future updates on other activities.
“For our 2012 Expo we want to extend our invitations to other NGO’s and local institutions as these UK universities were not only interested in student recruitment but also in developing partnerships, student and staff exchanges programmes, to mention a few,” she said.
Some students who made it to the expo commended the initiative by the British Council and British High Commission.
“We have managed to know a lot about UK Universities and it is our wish that they bring in highly recognized universities in the world at the next expo,” said one student.
