The Imperial School of Business and Science (ISBS) used its presence at the 2025 Botswana Human Resource Development Skills (BHRDS) Fair and Career Clinics to amplify its role in the country’s skills development strategy and forge new international academic partnerships, as student interest in future-focused qualifications reached new highs.
Speaking after the four-day event in Gaborone, ISBS Managing Director Nidheesh Sharma described the institution’s participation as a strategic success, pointing to strong engagement from students and encouraging feedback from parents and stakeholders.
“Our presence at the fair reaffirmed what we have known for years—that Botswana’s youth are hungry for practical, market-relevant education that sets them up for long-term career success,” Sharma said. “ISBS is responding to this need with programmes designed to match national economic priorities and global standards.”
A citizen-owned institution established in 2003, ISBS offers a range of BQA-accredited qualifications spanning Certificates, Diplomas, Undergraduate Degrees, Postgraduate programmes, and globally recognised professional certifications such as ACCA, AAT, and CIMA. At this year’s fair, the institution emphasised its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) portfolio, particularly in tourism, public health, occupational health and safety, and logistics management.
“The BHRDS’s theme on leveraging TVET to support economic growth directly aligns with our institutional approach,” Sharma added. “We ensure our students are not only academically prepared but also practically equipped to contribute meaningfully in a fast-evolving economy.”
Despite positive engagement at the fair, Sharma expressed concern over the decision to limit the 2025 fair to Gaborone, excluding traditional locations like Francistown and Maun. “This limited the reach of the initiative, and many students in the north were left out. To address this, we’re preparing a nationwide roadshow to ensure we close that gap.”
One of the key highlights for ISBS at the fair was its interaction with several international universities. Discussions centred on the potential for joint academic programmes, student exchange initiatives, and collaborative research—moves Sharma says are part of a broader ambition to internationalise ISBS’s offerings.
“Botswana’s students deserve access to education that is not only affordable but globally relevant,” he said. “We’re focused on forging partnerships that expand horizons and bring the world to our classrooms.”
The institution also received a wave of positive feedback from the public, with many parents and students praising ISBS’s steady growth, affordability, and focus on employability. Students showed particular interest in newer offerings such as the Bachelor of Commerce in Digital Marketing and the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, reflecting a shift toward emerging fields.
As Botswana continues its push for economic diversification and upskilling of its workforce, Sharma says ISBS is positioning itself as an engine of empowerment. “Our role is not just to educate, but to uplift. We’re preparing the next generation to lead, innovate, and compete—locally and globally.”
ISBS offers flexible study options including full-time, part-time, and distance learning, catering to a broad spectrum of learners across the country.
