The Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoTE), Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe, announces the appointment of Prof. Sheila Dinotshe Tlou as the Chancellor of Botswana Open University (BOU). The appointment was made by His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. M. E. K. Masisi and is effective from May 2021 to April 2026. Professor Tlou replaces Dr. PHK Kedikilwe, who retired as Chancellor at the end of 2020. Professor Tlou has been a trail blazer in many respects and brings to her role a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
Prof Tlou who has just made Avance Media’s list of 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, is currently the Co-Chair of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition and the Co-Chair of the Nursing Now Global Campaign. From 2010 to 2017 she was the Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa. She is a former Member of Parliament and Minister of Health of the Republic of Botswana (2004-2008). She is also a former Professor of Nursing at the University of Botswana and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Development in Primary Health Care for Anglophone Africa.
She has conducted research and taught courses to nursing, pre-medical and social science students on Gender issues relating to HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Ageing and Older Persons. She has played a key role in the development of national nursing and medical education curricula, working to broaden the scope of Health Sciences education in Botswana.
Prof. Tlou holds a PhD in Nursing Sciences and post-graduate Certificates in Women’s health and Gender studies, from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
She has a Master’s degree in Nursing Education and Instruction from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Dillard University in New Orleans. She has many publications on gender issues relating to HIV and AIDS, older persons, menopause, and community-based approaches to HIV prevention.
The Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology congratulates Prof. Sheila Tlou on this appointment and wishes her the best in her role as the Chancellor of Botswana Open University.
Silas Sehularo
For/Permanent Secretary