Teaching of Psychology in Botswana Dr. Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (Formerly, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Princess marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana). Mitu Sharmin Shultana, Clinical Psychologist, Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, Lobatse, Botswana.

Psychology Education in Botswana In Botswana psychology is taught in only one Department of psychology at the University of Botswana. The Department was established in January 2004, which offers only 1st degree in psychology – B.Sc. as combined major, and B.Psych, the Bachelor of psychology degree. Its curriculum is developed and taught following western tradition.

Objectives of Psychology Education in Botswana The stated objectives of the psychology programme at the University of Botswana are as follows: (a) To provide students with the necessary knowledge and research skills that would enable them to continue the study of psychology at a post-graduate level. (b) To provide students with the necessary knowledge and research skills to work in diverse settings that require the application and use of psychology. (c) To equip students with practical competencies for providing psychological services in public and private institutions.

Evaluation of Teaching of Psychology in Botswana Based on our 3 to 5 years’ experience of working as a clinical psychologist in Botswana -- coming from Bangladesh, and with one of us being a member of executive committee of Botswana Association of Psychology for one term, and with our experience of interacting with the teachers, students and practitioners in psychology, we will present a critical analysis in this paper on:

Evaluation of Stated Objectives (1) how much the stated objectives of the psychology course curriculum are actually met, (2) what form of regional African as well as international collaboration is required for the quality, standard, and professionalization of psychology teaching and creating its potential impact on psychology practices, and (3) its resulting interaction with the cultural ideas or cognitions, to build a mentally healthy society and state in Botswana.

Concluding Comments The paper will conclude that by taking some thoughtful development oriented philosophical (epistemological) and scientific research and practice oriented teaching of psychology in Botswana, and by initiating some fruitful African regional and international collaboration, there are ample scope and opportunity for changing the dysfunctional socio-cultural cognitions,

Concluding Comments there are ample scope and opportunity for changing the dysfunctional socio-cultural cognitions, challenging the demonic and supernatural possession oriented commonsense believe, even held by some practicing psychologists in Botswana, which can be seen as a barriers to true knowledge and practice development of psychology in this part of the world.