Botho University, Botswana and the Divine Word College of Vigan of the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the 19th of January 2022. Senior management from both universities, Botho University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor responsible for Internationalization and Communication, Mr Ravi Srinivasan and Rev. Fr. Edsel R. Demillo, SVD (PhD), President of the Divine Word College of Vigan (DWCV), pended their signatures to this historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
DWCV is a private, Catholic, co-educational institution of higher learning run by the Philippine Northern Province of the Society of the Divine Word in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It was founded in 1822 by the society as the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción. Established in 1997, Botho University is the largest private tertiary institution in Botswana, with campuses in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini and Blended and Distance Learning Campus.
The MoU was necessitated by the need to create mutually beneficial relations between their faculties of Hospitality and Tourism to produce well-equipped graduates with relevant skills for the industry of Hospitality and tourism. During the signing, Dr Lord Jan T, Rodiris of the College of Hospitality and Tourism management DECV and the Faculty of hospitality and sustainable tourism Dean, Dr Oliver Chikuta, revealed that the partnership will include staff and student exchanges, both physical and virtual. The institutions committed to taking part in public and guest lectures between them. They further agreed to serve one another as external reviewers or consultants for curriculum development and review, amongst others. In addition, the institutions offered to assist each other in human capital development programs, collaborate in research and grant applications, and co-organise and host academic conferences. Overall, this partnership is expected to broaden and strengthen the institutions’ international impact.
In his closing remarks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Mr. Ravi Srinivasan shared a quote from Confucius, “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” He further emphasised that the partnership will lead to new opportunities for both institutions.
