Botho University believes in providing opportunities for international exposure to all its students. To achieve this goal, Botho University has entered into numerous strategic student exchange partnerships which are credit-bearing for eg: with KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in Thohoyandou, South Africa DHBW, Germany, BAU and Yasar University in Turkey just to name a few. Studying abroad allows our students to experience and appreciate different cultures and perspectives and gain a broader perspective. As part of institutional exchange agreements, Botho University is also able to host students from these partner institutions. The Student and Alumni Affairs Department (SAAD) is the responsible department for coordinating the logistics of student exchange in consultation with the Academics and Partnerships teams. SAAD is responsible for providing support on accommodation, travel logistics, visa and study permits and general information and assistance on any other related student matters.
One of our earliest student exchange programmes is with the University of Venda in South Africa which started in 2015. The exchange programme allows 5 students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Botho University to study at the University of Venda for an entire semester (6 months). In exchange, 5 students from the University of Venda are hosted by Botho University for the same duration. Exchange students are provided with accommodation, transport and a living allowance. Their visas and study permit costs are also covered as part of the benefits of the exchange programme. Since this exchange programme started, 29 of our students have visited the University of Venda in South Africa while Botho University has hosted 26 students from the University of Venda. Students have benefited immensely from this programme and gained international exposure while they develop their leadership and academic skills. In 2019, this programme was introduced in the Botho University, Lesotho campus. The number of students per programme has also been increased from five to ten students each year due to the tremendous success seen.
Our next exchange programme is with KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm Sweden for students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Students have to apply for the programme and meet certain eligibility criteria in order to be shortlisted. Selected students travel to Stockholm, Sweden for an entire semester and while at KTH get an opportunity to experience Challenge Driven Education (CDE). CDE offers students the chance to work on societal problems and also study other modules approved by the universities for credits. All student expenses including flights, visas, study permits, accommodation and living allowances are taken care of as part of this exchange programme. The student exchange programme with KTH started in 2018 with a current total of 9 Botho University students having visited Stockholm. In January 2021 KTH Royal Institute of Technology will be sending its first batch of students to spend an entire semester at Botho University, Botswana.
Botho University is currently in the process of finalizing student exchange modalities with our partner universities in Turkey and DHBW, Germany as well. Due to the pandemic, many travel plans were affected but these are slowly being resuscitated.
