The president of Botswana, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Masisi, is scheduled to speak at Squires Student Center on Tuesday, March 21, according to VTx. This is believed to be the first visit to the university by an international head of state.
His lecture, “Merging Conversation, Democracy, and Sustainable Development in Botswana,” is open to the Virginia Tech community and members of the public. Masisi’s platform is focused on supporting the economy of Botswana’s communities and boosting conservation and biodiversity stewardship.
“The people of Botswana are at the forefront of efforts to address the needs and challenges facing Africa and the rest of the world,” Sands said in an interview with VTx.
“We are proud to have Hokies working shoulder to shoulder with them and honoured to welcome His Excellency, Dr. Masisi, to our Blacksburg campus.”
Masisi’s ties to Virginia Tech go back to December 2019 when he and first lady Neo Masisi toured the Centre for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land Use, founded by Professor Kathleen Alexander in 2001. The research programme is located in Northern Botswana and aims at “protecting wildlife and improving the livelihoods of communities through outreach projects, animal conservation efforts, and research aimed at securing a sustainable future.”
At the time of the Masisi’s visit, Alexander noted the president taking the time to tour the site and speak with staff and students.
“A unique aspect of the Botswana government is its willingness to consider and engage evidence-based recommendations,” Alexander said.
“It was a humbling experience to have His Excellency visit us.”
