UB launches master plan

The master plan was launched yesterday at the UB's council chambers by the director of
Institutional planning, Dr Michael Gregory.

He explained that the 2009 master plan provides the UB and the people of Botswana with an exciting plan for a university campus, among the best in Africa.

He stated that the plan is designed to underscore the university's vision, to be a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and the world.

Gregory indicated that in addition to planning for 16,000 students by 2016 and 20,000 students by 2020, the new 2009 master plan addresses the need to improve the layout of the campus and to ensure strong environmental standards.

'There are plans to beautify the campus with an integrated landscaping strategy, and the creation of a botanical garden and research centre which will engage the university with the natural heritage of the country and with people of Gaborone and the country more generally,' Gregory said.

He pointed out that right now at the university, there are major construction projects which will have a major positive impact on the facilities available to students and staff over the next two years.

'These include two new multi- purpose buildings for classrooms, laboratories, lecturer halls and offices, a building complex for the Faculty of Engineering and a new Student Service Centre and on the north of the campus, planning for a new 450 bed teaching hospital is in progress,' he stated.

He said these would be facilities for training doctors and other health professionals and is a vital development to the health goals of the nation. Gregory said the university is also committed to the development of sports, and youth and a new indoor sports, fitness and exercise science centre is scheduled to commence in 2009. For NDP 10, Gregory revealed that the university has submitted proposals to the government to establish on the campus an Arts and Culture Centre. He said the expansion of business programmes would be supported by an extension to the faculty of business building.

He noted that student success is strengthened by an approach where students live and learn in communities on campus. The university's residential buildings will expand to 7,500 units by the end of NDP 11 together with an additional refectory.

According to Gregory, a distinctive feature of the campus will be the creation of a central plaza which will be at the heart of the campus.  It will be a meeting space for students.
 He said the Botanical Garden and Research Centre will be next to the student residences and the hospital.

Gregory asserted that the Master Plan is strongly linked to the university's strategic plan and it would enhance the quality of research, learning and teaching as well as provide excellent and comprehensive student support facilities including housing, recreation, sport, health and leisure.