University of Botswana delegates visit OHIO to explore expanded connections

Six delegates from the University of Botswana (UB) visited Ohio University from April 11-15, 2022, to strengthen existing connections and explore new avenues for faculty and student engagement between the two institutions.

The UB representatives included Vice Chancellor Prof. David Norris; Prof. Richard Tabulawa, acting deputy vice chancellor of academic affairs; Prof. Lily Mafela, dean of the Faculty of Education; Prof. Edward Dintwa, dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Tebogo Matome, lecturer in the Faculty of Business; and Mr. Moeng Segaetsho, senior executive assistant in the Office of the Vice Chancellor.

“Ohio University was proud to welcome our friends and partners from the University of Botswana to our campuses,” Ohio University President Hugh Sherman said. “It was an excellent opportunity to explore ways to continue to expand our relationship in order to benefit the students and faculty from both institutions.”

The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) facilitated numerous robust meetings and engagements for the University community in Athens, Lancaster, and Dublin. The program was arranged in consultation with Dr. Lucky Wakantse Odirile, who is the Glidden Visiting Professor in the Patton College of Education and director of the University of Botswana Careers and Counselling Centre; Bose Maposa, director of operations in the Office of the Provost; and Beatrice Selotlegeng, former director of the College of Business Junior Executive Business Program, who has recently retired from OHIO and returned home to Botswana.

Throughout the week, meetings and tours took place across colleges and departments, including the College of Business, Patton College of Education, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Russ College of Engineering and Technology, Division of Student Affairs, Alumni Association and the Division of Research. The UB representatives also met with numerous OHIO students, including international students from Botswana and many other countries.

Dr. Ji-Yeung Jang, interim executive director for Global Affairs, shared a snapshot of OHIO and UB’s long history of engagement at the April 13 welcome reception. The relationship dates back to the 1970s and has spanned decades and numerous esteemed delegation visits by leaders of the University of Botswana and the country at large.

“Following the week’s rich and dynamic meetings across colleges and departments, further connecting colleagues and sharing more about each institution’s assets and interests will prepare both OHIO and UB for the next exciting chapter in our partnership,” Jang said.

Representatives from OHIO and UB are currently discussing renewing the memorandum of understanding between the two institutions in order to support future partnership activities.

Photos from the visit can be seen at this website. For more information on the visit or the partnership with UB, contact the Office of Global Affairs at globalaffairs@ohio.edu.