The Okavango Research Institute (ORI) of the University of Botswana is dedicated to the study of wetlands and adjacent drylands. The need for scientific information on the Okavango Delta ecosystem resulted in the Botswana Government establishing the ORI under the auspices of the University of Botswana in 1994. The vision of ORI is to be a leading wetlands and adjacent drylands research institute in Africa and the world by 2023 and beyond. The mission of ORI is to undertake engaged research and provide training and service on wetland and adjacent dryland eco-systems.
Vision
The vision of ORI is to be a leading wetlands and adjacent drylands research institute in Africa and the world by 2023 and beyond.
Mission
The mission of ORI is to undertake engaged research and provide training and service on wetland and adjacent dryland eco-systems.
Values
As a research institute, we embrace the following core values and skills, which we seek to make standard behaviour in all our operations:
- Social responsibility and public accountability - provide leadership in responding to issues and problems facing society while ensuring full stakeholder participation in the development and work of the Institute.
- Staff motivation - promote teamwork by encouraging, supporting, developing, and empowering all individuals and groups to achieve the Institute vision (trust, mutual respect).
- Professional and ethical standards - uphold the highest professional and ethical behavior through openness, honesty, tolerance and respect for the individual.
- Environmental sustainability – deepening awareness and ensuring that environmental issues are infused into the development agenda of Botswana and beyond.
- Academic integrity and high-quality research – promote creativity and academic rigor.
- Student service - create a holistic learning environment by developing a range of learning, social, cultural and recreational opportunities that will facilitate the full realization of their potential for academic and personal growth.
History
The Okavango Research Institute (ORI) of the University of Botswana was established in 1994 in response to the need to understand the implications of the implementation of the Southern Okavango Integrated Water Development Project (SOIWDP). The need for scientific information on the Okavango Delta ecosystem resulted in the Botswana Government establishing the ORI, formerly Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) and under the auspices of the University of Botswana in 1994. ORI is dedicated to the study of wetlands and adjacent drylands. The need for information and knowledge on the Okavango Delta was also mentioned by Vision 2016 of the Government of Botswana. ORI is currently the only Research Institute of the University of Botswana. The Institute was established to promote multi-disciplinary research to make the University of Botswana a research-intensive University by 2021. To implement its research strategy, the University of Botswana has a policy for the establishment of Research Centres, Research Institutes and Centres of Excellence.
Staff Profiles
| Name | Position | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Keotshephile Kashe | Research Fellow | Okavango Research Institute |
| Dr. Susan Osireditse Keitumetse | Research Fellow | Okavango Research Institute |
| Professor Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Dare Kolawole | Professor | Okavango Research Institute |
| Dr Olga Laiza Kupika | Senior Research Fellow | Okavango Research Institute |
| Mr. Kaelo Makati | Senior Technician | Okavango Research Institute |
| Mrs. Anastacia Makati | GIS Technician | Okavango Research Institute |
| Dr Gaseitsiwe Smollie Masunga | Research Scholar | Okavango Research Institute |
| Miss Dimpho Malebogo Matlhola | Research Fellow | Okavango Research Institute |
| Dr Nashaat M. Mazrui | Research Scholar | Okavango Research Institute |
| Prof. Joseph Elizeri Mbaiwa | Director & Professor of Tourism Studies | Okavango Research Institute |