“Ready to unlock the future of business?” asks the towering structure before us. This is the Faculty of Business. Established in 1997 it stands as one of the fastest-growing faculties at the University of Botswana.
The Faculty of Business aims to become a leading business school in Africa and beyond. It actively addresses strategic priorities to achieve its vision. The University of Botswana wants to be a leading academic center of excellence in Africa and the world.
The faculty comprises four academic departments. These are Accounting and Finance Management Marketing and Tourism and Hospitality Management. These departments offer undergraduate programs in various fields. These include Accountancy Finance Business Information Systems and Business Management. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management are also included. Further options are Marketing International Business and Tourism and Hospitality Management.
The Faculty also offers a Masters in Business Administration MBA. Specialization streams include Accounting Finance Marketing and Management. Information Systems and Tourism and Hospitality Management are also options. These market-driven programs produce industry-ready graduates. They meet the expectations of stakeholders. To expand access the Faculty offers most programs on full-time part-time modular and distance learning modes. The Faculty also continues to offer the Diploma in Accounting and Business Studies on a part-time basis. This caters to training needs in business.
The establishment of the UB Graduate School of Business GSB marks a landmark. It expands access and participation. The GSB envisions becoming a pre-eminent business school. It will focus on graduate program development and research enhancement. It will also offer consultancy and executive education programs.
The PhD program in Business and membership of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor GEM contribute to making UB a research-intensive university. The Faculty is establishing a Centre for Entrepreneurial Development. This will enable the Faculty to produce more industry-ready graduates. Students will interact with entrepreneurs. They will be involved in entrepreneurial projects. They will work in multi-disciplinary teams. Entrepreneurs and investors will evaluate them as well as academic staff.
Currently the Business Clinic partially covers the functions of the proposed Center. It provides entrepreneurship awareness and training to students. It gives them the opportunity to gain practical business experience. Other activities include training counseling advice research and consultancy services.
The Faculty of Business enhances engagement with stakeholders. It plays an important role in capacity building through executive development programs. It regularly runs business skill development programs for private and public sectors. UB has established linkages and partnerships with top-ranking Universities. These strengthen international and regional engagements.
Prominent business schools use international partnerships to enhance their programs research consultancy capacity and executive education. They also attract qualified visiting faculty. The Faculty actively partners with Wharton Business School Marshall School of Business and Ohio University College of Business. They also partner with Shanghai Normal University the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply Bourse Africa and Cresta Marakanelo in Botswana.
The Modular MBA program is coordinated by Prof Jaloni Pansiri in Building 245 Room 105. The MBA degree is recognized as a key qualification for senior corporate managers. It addresses changes in technology culture politics and economics. The MBA program consists of sixteen semester courses. It includes twelve compulsory core courses and four optional courses plus a compulsory dissertation. The normal duration of the full-time MBA program is a minimum of three semesters.
The Faculty of Business recognizes the educational benefits of having a diversified group of MBA students. Selection aims to achieve a balance of participants from various disciplines and backgrounds.
Standing here we witness not just a building but a launchpad. It prepares the next generation of business leaders. The Faculty of Business is not merely an institution. It’s a catalyst for growth innovation and excellence in Botswana and beyond.