‘The Future is Now in Your Hands’ Ceremony Releases 1200 Batswana Graduates into Industries
In a ceremony of all the pomp and circumstance befitting its students and accomplishments, Limkokwing University Botswana saw 1,200 students from eight countries graduate at its convocation ceremony on 18 October 2016.
‘The Future is Now in Your Hands’ was the resounding theme to all graduates who came from not only Botswana, but also from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda.
This year’s graduation ceremony marks the first cohort of students to graduate under the Target 20,000 initiative.
Target 20,000 is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to help equip the youth with industry skills at tertiary institutions.
Of the total graduates, 100 are from the performing arts programme under the government initiative.
The partners of the programme are Limkokwing University, Botho University, BA ISAGO University, New Era College, ABM University, GUC, EAT and Boitekanelo College.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Basic Education, Dr. Unity Dow, thanked the third president of Botswana, Dr. Festus Mogae, and the Founder and President of Limkokwing University, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr. Lim Kok Wing, for building a strong relationship between the University and the Government of Botswana.
Dr. Unity Dow said that one of the greatest things about Limkokwing University is the energy it emits, and the belief in itself that it ignites in young people who study at its campuses.
The Chairman of the University Council, Mr. Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo, congratulated the graduates and mentioned that the University is proud of their contribution in many areas of University’s life and services.
“You have made your own unique contribution to enhance the University’s national and international standing. We are also proud of you for developing the nation of Botswana. The success of every Motswana brings knowledge and skills that will lift your country, your hometown, your family and yourself.”
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Tourism Management graduate, Joseph Nkosi, from Malawi shared with other graduates that his university journey started at the age of 35, after working 10 years without a career promotion.
“In 2012, the Government of Botswana offered 20 scholarships to the Government of Malawi in an effort to help the country improve its economy through tourism and agriculture. That is how my colleagues and I found corridors to Limkokwing University.”
Nkosi mentioned that upon submitting his graduation certificate, the Malawi Department of Tourism promoted him to a ‘Tourism Officer’ jumping three positions in between.
“This is just to appreciate and show how powerful and important the Government of Botswana and Limkokwing University is to our lives,” he concluded.
A proud alumna of the University, Charity Reobokile, who studied Associate Degree in Broadcasting (Radio & TV), gave the graduates a word of motivation by recounting how Limkokwing University has contributed to the growth of her career.
“Limkokwing University’s creative and innovative approach instilled in me a mindset to think beyond employability and to become the employer. This gave birth to the Student Advertiser and Student Care Consultancy.”
Charity is also Botswana’s Cultural Ambassador and works as a Sedibeng presenter at Botswana Television.
“My advice to you, my fellow graduates, is to use each other’s skills and talent to form companies and businesses that will drive our economy. Let us see the world through the eyes of our Founder and President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr. Lim Kok Wing,” she said.
With its rich history of transformational education across Asia, Africa and Europe, Limkokwing University aligns with its students to acquire knowledge and skills from basic to advanced levels, across a wide range of institutions and diverse socio-economic contexts.
