UTG MA students defend theses

History was made yesterday, April 15th 2009, as two out of three students among the pioneering batch of the Master of Arts degree program of the University of The Gambia had their theses accepted after defending them before an academic jury.

The occasion, held at the University of The Gambia Senate Room located at the Faculty Building along MDI Road in Kanifing, was presided over by Professor ESD Fomin,   the celebrated author of the book titled: "A comparative study of societal influence on indigenous slavery in two types of societies in Africa" (Edwin Mellen Press 2002).

Professor Fomin was assisted by senior lecturers from within and outside the university. The University of The Gambia started its Masters Degree programme in African History in June 2007. The students, namely Ousman Mamakeh Bojang, Hassoum Ceesay, and Essa Touray, individually researched and authored their theses on the topics "Background to the making of modern Gambia: from boundary demarcation to the establishment of the protectorate system 1888-1902", "Women’s associations and social development in Bathurst 1925-1965" and “Foday Kabba, nation building and the liberal encounter, 1875-1900" respectively, marking a successful completion of the rigorous two year  academic programme. But only Ousman Mamakeh Bojang and Hassoum Ceesay had the time to defend theirs, with the third, Essa Touray, set to defend his tomorrow.

Speaking at the occasion, the acting head of department, Humanities, Arts and Language, Michael Jusu, remarked that history is a record of the events of human societies, and students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of historiography. "Today," Jusu noted, "these young men are aspiring to join the group of academics with Masters degrees and above. Each of them is expected to defend his thesis for the award of a Masters degree in history." He said that they have taken cognizance of early historians like Herodotus - 5th century BC; Thucydides, who wrote political and military history in Athens; Levy, a Roman who wrote Augusta history and they also remembered the renaissance period when Machiavelli.

Jusu also spoke at length about the core elements of research of which the earlier surviving records of history are found in Egypt. The acting vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia, Professor Ousman Nyan, recalled that the first batch of students was admitted into the MA programme following the endorsement of the University Senate, after a protracted and engaging debate. Pointing out the difficulties associated with being pioneers, Professor Nyan noted that he is aware of the numerous problems that confronted the unfolding of the programme. "The MA in African History programme," Professor Nyan added, "has been our collective investment; it has involved both historians and non-historians at the UTG.

I believed fervently that we did our job to the best of our abilities and within our means. It is now left to the panel of very learned scholars to critically examine the competencies acquired by our students." For his part, the chairman of the university governing council, Momodou Tangara, spoke at length about the importance of history. He threw challenges to the students to become historians who will join the few in authoring the true history of Africa. He maintained that the country is rich in historical materials particularly oral traditions.