Main photo: The High Commissioner of Botswana, Lapologang Caesar Lekoa (front left), and First Secretary, Lovemore Tafa (front, second from right), with UNE staff members (rear, l-r) John Gibson, Julius Van Der Werf, Pete Fitzgerald, Graham Hall, Frank Leayr, (front) Aron Murphy and Julian Prior. Above: Head of the School of Environmental and Rural Science, Prof Aron Murphy, presents a gift to the High Commissioner, His Excellency Lapologang Caesar Lekoa.

A delegation from Botswana visited the UNE campus yesterday and met with key staff to explore possible collaborations in a number of areas, such as farming, food and water security, benchmarking and student exchanges.

The High Commissioner of Botswana, His Excellency Lapologang Caesar Lekoa, and First Secretary, Lovemore Tafa, were keen to discuss a range of agricultural topics with UNE staff, including:

• Research on drought resistance crops or seeds;
• Approaches to drought and risk management;
• Soil Management Practice;
• Research on Dry land Farming;
• Water conservation, treatment and use.

Future partnerships between UNE and Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in areas such as research, capacity building, information sharing and student exchanges were also a priority for discussion, as were scholarship opportunities in agriculture and water resources.

The High Commissioner and First Secretary also toured Booloominbah, the glasshouses, the Centre for Animal Research and Teaching, Natural History Museum and the Homestead facilities during their visit.