Addressing the ISBS graduation ceremony, the Honourable Justice Sidney Tshepiso Pilane, Judge of the Court of Appeal of Botswana, urged graduates to pursue opportunities with determination while calling on industry to open doors through mentorship, internships and recruitment. “Graduation must lead to opportunities for young people to apply what they have learned. Our graduates have a responsibility to prepare themselves and demonstrate their abilities, and employers have an important role in giving that talent a chance,” said Honourable Justice Pilane.
The ceremony placed the transition from education to economic participation at the centre of its message. Honourable Justice Pilane praised ISBS for its significant contribution to the education sector and its role in preparing students with knowledge and skills relevant to the needs of Botswana’s economy. In the context of economic development and diversification, graduates were encouraged to identify unmet needs, gain practical experience and explore entrepreneurial opportunities that can serve both local and regional markets.
“Your qualification is a foundation. Its value grows when you use it to solve a problem, improve a service or build a business that people need. Stay curious, work with integrity and build a reputation for delivering work that others can trust,” he said.
ISBS Managing Director Nidheesh Sharma said the graduation highlighted the institution’s responsibility to connect learning with practical application and ensure that students are prepared not only to earn qualifications, but also to apply their knowledge meaningfully beyond the classroom. “Every graduate we celebrate represents years of effort, family support and personal sacrifice. Our responsibility is to help students develop knowledge and practical skills they can carry into the workplace and into their own ventures,” said Sharma.
ISBS, a citizen-owned institution, offers a diverse range of programmes across business, accounting and finance, education, health and related disciplines. These include Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Logistics and Transport Management, Tourism Management, Digital Marketing, and Finance and Banking. Its offerings also include professional accounting pathways such as AAT, ACCA and CIMA, alongside Primary Education, Early Childhood Education, Occupational Health and Safety, and Public Health programmes.
Sharma said these fields provide different ways for graduates to contribute to Botswana’s development. “Botswana needs people who can manage enterprises, strengthen financial accountability, move goods efficiently, develop markets, educate children and support healthier communities. We encourage our graduates to recognise where their skills can make a meaningful contribution and to continue learning as the needs of their industries and communities evolve,” he said.
Graduates were encouraged to maintain relationships with their industrial attachment hosts, seek mentors and develop business ideas around clearly identified customer needs. Those pursuing entrepreneurship were urged to test their ideas, understand their costs and prepare credible business plans before seeking support. Honourable Justice Pilane also encouraged parents and guardians to continue guiding graduates as they establish themselves, recognising that completing a qualification does not always result in immediate financial independence.
As part of the ceremony, ISBS awarded nine scholarships to its Top Achiever students, enabling each recipient to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Management at ISBS valued at P22,000.00. The scholarships represent a total value of P198,000.00. The ceremony concluded with a message of shared responsibility: graduates must take initiative, while families, educators, government and industry help create the conditions in which their abilities can flourish. For ISBS, the graduation also reaffirmed its continuing commitment to providing accessible, relevant and quality higher education while supporting students from the beginning of their academic journey through to graduation and beyond.
