On 07 November 2018, the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and Botswana Open University (BOU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement establishes a framework for the negotiation of the proposed cooperation between the two Institutions. It includes, but not be limited to, the development of collaborative research projects; the organisation of joint academic and scientific activities, such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures; the exchange of research and teaching personnel; the exchange of students; and the exchange of publications and other materials of common interest.

Botswana Open University was developed to meet the growing local demand for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) tertiary level programmes. The university is a result of the transformation of Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL). The transformation was the actualisation of the recommendation of the Tertiary Education Policy that a comprehensive national distance education institution be established. The institution would develop, offer and accredit university level programmes independently without being tied to collaborating partners. Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal said that he is personally impressed with Botswana as a government. “As a country, Botswana is doing exceptionally well on the African continent in terms of their economy and many other aspects.”

“It is a privilege for us to cement our partnership with BOU. We see ourselves as a real winning University of Technology, and we ultimately want to be the leading University of Technology in Africa on various aspects, and it is because of this drive that we want to collaborate with winners. Any partnership must be a win-win situation, and I believe that strengthening this collaboration will be mutually beneficial. Although BOU is relatively new, I believe we can learn a lot from them, and I am looking forward to a long relationship with our new partners.

He also said that building partnerships with SADC regions is a top priority. “We should collectively hold hands as Africans and show the world what we are capable of.”

Dr Daniel Tau, Vice Chancellor of Botswana Open University (BOU), said that their institution is new as it is the latest addition to the existing 65 open universities globally. He also said that they have a huge task of developing foundational systems.

He also mentioned that he was impressed by CUT as a University of Technology and the staff members who showed passion and enthusiasm in their work. “There is something attractive about this institution; there are many impressive projects that we have seen and heard about. I have noticed the passion, creativity, innovations and the quality of staff members you have. What we saw in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology will definitely take this institution to greater heights. There are many universities that have been around for a long time but are not as innovative and creative as you are, and do not exude the passion and enthusiasm that we have witnessed here. Keep up with the good work.”

He thanked CUT for the opportunity afforded to formalise their union. “I would like to see tangible collaborations rolling out of this MoU. It is a framework, and I believe that with time, there will be more specific agreements around certain specific projects and initiatives.

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Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal and Dr Daniel Tau, Vice-Chancellor of Botswana Open University (BOU) signing towards their brighter future.