Sustainable Development at University of Botswana

University of Botswana

4775 Notwane Rd.
Gaborone
Botswana Website
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Sustainable Development at University of Botswana

Action category:  Research
Associated keywords:  HESD,  Higher Education Sustainability,  Higher Education for Sustainable Development,  University of Botswana
Latest update: 11/09/2023

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goal : Partnerships

Presentation

Innovation in higher education curriculum is a viable vehicle to promote sustainable world economies and natural resources conservation for future generations. The University of Botswana curriculum, like in other institutions of higher education worldwide is expected to respond to global environmental discourses. Thus, the Change Project.

Objectives

The University of Botswana (UB) aims at promoting research to develop and generate knowledge on sustainable development. This project aims to strengthen the academic environment for our students by focusing on education for sustainable development. On a collaborative basis, the project promotes departmental and institutional networking/partnerships and encourages local collaboration and/or partnerships to enable the university academic staff members to be more proactive in addressing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles.

Main Activities

The Change Project, a research project conducted in 2010, focuses on higher education curriculum innovation to mainstream environment and sustainability issues. This encompasses strengthening the existing programs, courses and praxis on environmental sustainability. The aim of the project was to collaboratively work with faculties and departments to strengthen what already existed and to initiate further projects addressing environmental and sustainability concerns. 

As a result of the Change Project study, the University has implemented/ is continuing to implement the following steps into their curriculum:

  • Introduce a PhD program in Environmental Studies
  • Introduce a Master’s Degree program in Environmental Education
  • Mainstream environment and sustainability issues into Undergraduate courses within the faculty of Education
  • Initiated and assisted in the National ESD Strategy in Botswana
  • Initiated an annual trainers course in ESD for educators across sectors
  • Support youth programs on sustainable development

Contact

M.J. Ketlhoilwe, Professor of Environmental Studies
E-Mail: Ketlhomj@mopipi.ub.bw