On 16 April 2026, the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources had the distinct honour of hosting a high-level delegation from the French Senate and Embassy marking the third visit this year by the French Mission, a strong indication of deepening cooperation between Botswana and France.

 

The delegation was led by the Deputy Head of Mission Her Excellency Anouchka Crucovskoy, accompanied by the Senator of Vaucluse and President of the France-Southern Africa Friendship Group, the Deputy Chairperson of the France-Botswana Friendship Group, the Senator of Moselle (Grand Est), as well as an Administrator from the French Senate, the Cooperation Attachée, and the Communication Attachée. Their presence underscored the importance of strengthening ties not only at a diplomatic level, but also across legislative and academic spheres.

 

Welcoming the delegation, Vice Chancellor Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele described the visit as both an honour and a catalyst for meaningful collaboration. He highlighted that such engagements reflect the often underappreciated but critical intersection between academia, diplomacy, and legislature, sectors that must work together to drive impactful development. He emphasized that while universities are engines of research and innovation, their true value lies in how effectively that knowledge serves society.

 

The Vice Chancellor further outlined BUAN’s strategic focus on transforming rural livelihoods through innovation, inclusivity, and skills development. Central to this vision is the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes aimed at empowering the thousands of Botswana youth who do not transition into tertiary education each year. Through satellite campuses, value-chain-based training, and practical, technology-driven learning, BUAN seeks to equip young people to actively contribute to the national economy while advancing food and nutrition security.

 

In response, the Deputy Head of Mission commended BUAN’s transformative agenda and its clear commitment to societal impact, particularly in rural development. The French delegation’s broader mission to strengthen people-to-people ties and promote economic cooperation, especially within rural communities resonates strongly with the university’s mandate. This alignment creates fertile ground for collaboration in knowledge exchange, innovation, and technology transfer.

 

This continued engagement between BUAN and the French Mission signals a growing and strategic partnership that stands to benefit not only the university community, but Botswana at large. It opens doors to global expertise, strengthens capacity in agriculture and natural resources, and reinforces a shared commitment to sustainable development. As BUAN continues to extend its reach into communities across the country, such partnerships ensure that its impact remains both locally relevant and globally connected.