Dr. Oabona Enock Nthebolang

Dr. Oabona Enock Nthebolang holds the position of Director of Human Resource Development Planning at the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), where he provides strategic leadership in advancing Botswana's human capital development agenda. His appointment is a testament to a distinguished career characterised by extensive experience in education, research management, and innovation systems within Botswana's higher education and skills development sectors. 

Before assuming his current role, Dr. Nthebolang served as Manager of Graduate Research and Innovation at HRDC, where he spearheaded initiatives to bolster research capacity, foster innovation ecosystems, and enhance collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Earlier in his career, he was a Teacher Educator in the Department of Foundational Education at Molepolole College of Education from 2006 to July 2013, where he played a pivotal role in the preparation and professional development of future educators. Dr. Nthebolang began his professional journey as an Integrated Science Teacher at Itireleng Junior Community Secondary School in Lobatse, where he taught from 2000 to 2005.

Dr. Nthebolang earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of South Africa in 2021. He holds Master in Intellectual Property Law and Management, Center for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) , Strasbourg University, 2025. He also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (2011) and a Bachelor of Education in Science Biology (2000) from the University of Botswana. His professional development includes the Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch (2018), a Postgraduate Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management from Botswana Accountancy College (2016), and Project Management training from the University of Botswana. 

Additionally, he has completed various programs in research management, innovation, and intellectual property through the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA). In 2017, he participated in the SARIMA-NCURA Research and Innovation Exchange Programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.