The University of Botswana will re-open on February 15, the institution's spokesman said last week.

In a press release, Tefo Mangope explained that last week's closure of the university due to violence does not affect post-graduate students, part-time evening students and international students. He said these students must return to campuses with immediate effect to continue with their studies.

UB was closed last week after four days of class boycotts and violence by students over allowances.

"While initially the students' protest did not affect teaching and learning and other university operations, subsequently a group of students engaged in acts that compromised the tranquil environment on campus. They disrupted classes and other university operations, intimidated, victimised and threatened other students and harassed staff who were otherwise going about their normal business," Mangope the acting UB director of public Affairs said in a press release.

He explained that last Wednesday, a group of students went on the rampage, threatening staff and other students. The group caused extensive damage to buildings, motor vehicles and other property, creating an unsafe situation on campus. As a result, the chairperson of the UB Council directed that the institution must be closed.

"Senate ratified the decision of the chairman of Council to close the university and recommended to council the extension of the closure to February 15, 2009. Senate agreed that the mid-term break be cancelled and that the semester be extended by one week," Mangope said.