16 Mar 2025

Tertiary education expos are a beacon of opportunity that bridge the gap between aspiring learners and institutions.
The Assistant Minister of Higher Education, Mr Justin Hunyepa stated when officially opening the Northern Botswana Tertiary Education Expo that was held Thursday at the Francistown old stadium.
He assured those who attended that the government aimed to strengthen the education sector by promoting inclusivity, accessibility and excellence.
“We recognise that for our nation to thrive in an ever evolving global economy, we must invest in our youth, equipping them with knowledge, skills and opportunities that align with national development goals and global trends,” said Mr Hunyepa.
He said this year’s expo was significant in that it closed the gap in the Northern region by bringing institutions closer to students who might not have had the opportunity to engage with them otherwise.
To those who did not perform well, he said other pathways to success existed and therefore should not lose hope.
“Opportunities exist through bridging programmes and alternative learning platforms that can still lead to fulfilling careers and contribution to personal and national development,” said Mr Hunyepa.
The National Institutions Roadshow acting chairperson, Mr Duelang Ngwako said the expo was a platform for learners to apply for tertiary education that also aimed to reach Batswana in all corners of the country, because education should be accessible to all.
A total of 22 tertiary institutions have joined efforts to make the roadshow a success and Mr Ngwako said the commitment to deliver quality education was clear and must be fulfilled.
He urged students to use the opportunity to explore and learn from different institutions.
Francistown deputy mayor, Mr Uyapo Nyeku said the expo demonstrated the importance government placed on education while Business Botswana representative, Mr Golekane Setume said top achievers programmee inspired learners to excel.
He also said the platform allowed young people to explore a variety of career paths.
“These institutions offer opportunities such as career advancement and sports outside classrooms,” Mr Setume added and hailed institutions that offered to sponsor students on the basis of academic excellence and special needs.
He also encouraged students to check if programmes they were applying for were accredited by Botswana Qualifications Authority, to avoid challenges when seeking employment in future. ENDS