University Students Graduate

In a well attended graduation ceremony at the Bakau Independence Stadium, 172 young Gambians were conferred degrees by His Excellency, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the founding chancellor of The University of The Gambia (UTG), on Saturday.

The occasion was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life including the vice president, the speaker of the National Assembly, secretaries of state, the vice-chancellor, members of Senate of the UTG, the graduating students themselves, their and other guests, including the Jamaican artists from the USA, Morgan Heritage.

Speaking at the occasion, President Yahya Jammeh, who is also the chancellor of the University of The Gambia, described the ceremony for the conferment of degrees as yet another opportunity to renew their commitment to uphold the tradition of excellence that the university has always exemplified, and to rededicate ourselves to the collective task of strengthening this national institution of higher learning and, by extension, to the development of our dear motherland - The Gambia.

According to him, the University of The Gambia is very central to his government’s development aspirations and his government will not relent in their efforts to ensure its growth and sustainability. He added that, it is however not the business of government alone and encouraged every Gambian at home and in the diaspora, and friends of The Gambia to join the crusade to consolidate the growth and further development of the university.

According to the UTG chancellor, his government’s unwavering and steadfast commitment to develop and consolidate higher education is explicitly articulated in the New Education Policy 2004-2015.

“The Tertiary and Higher Education component of the Education Policy 2004-2015, provides for the University of The Gambia to “build and establish working relationships with existing tertiary institutions in the country to strengthen its infrastructure as well as to develop the nucleus for an enduring and sustainable higher education system in The Gambia. My government fully supports the integration and consolidation of higher education institutions and structures in order to develop a robust system of education, that is more responsive to student and labour market needs, yet effective and efficient in utilising the physical, financial and human resources of the higher education sub-sector,” he said.

President Jammeh saluted the graduates for working hard enough to earn the accolade that they received.

“Of course, the successes we are celebrating today also reflect the resourcefulness and creativity of the leadership of the university and its governing uouncil. So, I want to commend all of you, the graduating students, academic staff and the University authorities for your efforts, and to heartily congratulate you on your achievement,” he said.

The Gambian leader then observed that the rapid and impressive gains in access and equity in the basic and secondary school systems in recent years will directly increase demand for tertiary places, infrastructure and resources. As chancellor of the university and head of State, he noted that he is aware of the seriousness of the constraints that are experienced by the university such as inadequate material and human resources, and the increasing demand for university education without a corresponding expansion in infrastructure.

“Without the expansion of the infrastructure and recruitment of additional academic staff, the quality and utility of higher education delivered could be compromised”.

He then assured the gathering that “I will rather sell all what I have but I will ensure that the University of The Gambia is of world class. My government will never allow such a situation to persist and I would like to assure you that appropriate measures are already in place to address these requirements.”

According to him, universities, whether privately or publicly funded, have a special responsibility and mandate to assist society in achieving its development aspirations. He expressed delight that the vision and activities of UTG are consistent with those of the nation as a whole.

He added that the university has continued to make rapid strides in the development, establishment and improvement of a wide range of academic, career-oriented and professional programmes. “With the introduction of a number of new programmes in ICT and Law, the University has already demonstrated its capacity to vigorously support the nation’s efforts to indigenise the Gambian Bench by 2011.

Similarly, i am informed of the discussions underway between the Department of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the Directorate of National Treasury and university of The Gambia, to introduce a course for Accountants, Financial Analysts and Managers to fill the capacity gaps that exist in the public sector, and indeed, meet the needs of financial institutions. I am delighted also to learn of the introduction of a two-year master of Arts degree in African History” he said.

For the UTG Chancellor, this is very important because if your history is written by other person, it will not reflect your true history addition to the skills and intellectual discipline that this course would instill in the graduates, the country will also directly benefit from having its history and peoples studied and researched in greater depth, generating correct information and knowledge about The Gambia.

He then maintained that education continues to be of very high priority for to his government adding that this priority is predicated on the fact that only higher education could provide the high-level intellectual and specialised technical skills that are necessary to realise the socio-economic and technological transformation of the country. “My government places great value on education that is productive and that can add value to our country’s efforts in the attainment of food self-sufficiency and the overall socio-economic and technological objectives of The Gambia.

The recent creation of the Department of State for higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, reflects my Government’s vision of the kind of education we are aspiring to achieve” he added.

President Jammeh then congratulate the graduants and their parents for their tremendous success and sacrifice and expressed hope that the new graduates will never forget their parents, guardians and all those who have contributed to their success.

For his part, Abdoulie Touray, chairman of the University of The Gambia governing council described the event as yet another milestone in the history of the education sector in The Gambia.

He equally reaffirmed their commitment and support towards the development  endeavours of the Jammeh administration more especially ensuring an excellent and vibrant university of standard for The Gambia. He then saluted President Jammeh for remaining steadfast in ensuring that the UTG move strength to strength.

“These is a world class university and will always nurture in the ideals of its founding father” he said.

He highlighted the several achievements registered by the UTG for the past years saying “23 world class train medical doctors will be graduate today. There is a dedicated computer classes with Quantum and St Mary’s University.

We have also started our home grown masters programme. Last year, we also conferred distinguish honour to Professor Andrea Steigen, UTG Vice Chancellor and Professor Awoso. We have also awarded three honourary Doctorate degrees to three people including President Jammeh and Vice President Njie-Saidy” he said. He then assured of their readiness to increase students success in the UTG, sustain a physical environment of learning and research and build up professionals by 2020 to meet the objectives among others.

He then advised them to maintain a positive mindset and your attitudes matters a lot every where.

Abdoulie M Sallah, secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology described the convocation as yet another achievement for the government and people of The Gambia for the sons and daughters of the country to be conferred degrees of international standards in their homeland. He noted that it is therefore the duty of every Gambian to thank President Yahya Jammeh for his great vision in providing higher education opportunities for Gambians.

He also commended President Jammeh for his resolve commitment, vision and steadfast to develop the Gambia. He added that the efforts of the Jammeh administration in transforming the Gambia has been seen by all and manifested by majority of Gambians by voting massively for the APRC sponsored candidates in the series of elections held in the country.

According to him, higher education is very essential in the providing skills and knowledge that can lead to the overall development of the individual and by extension, national development.

He added that through the association of scientific and technological institutions, some countries have today been able to transform themselves and became great providers of food and other agricultural products. “It is for this reason that our University most play a vital role in our education programme.

 Our university must help to shift the destiny of the new Gambian identity. The men and women that come from our university should be with a strong sense of service and loyalty for the nation in recognition of the great strive and sacrifices that have been made for them by the APRC government” he said.

According to him, it is equally important that higher education should suit the welfare of the people particularly in the areas of economics, cultural scientific and technological development. He then challenged the UTG to play a leadership role in the implementation of the innovations and efforts to achieve the goals of the vision 2020.

He added that the special areas of funding, expanded access and infrastructural development for the UTG continues to take center stage in their priority areas as a department of state.

He assured that the UTG will be supported in upgrading its facilities as the integration of tertiary institutions into the UTG will greatly have implications for our higher education system including among others, the improvement of opportunities for students, improvement in efficiency and effectiveness in the use of financial resources, increase in enrolment and improvement in the delivery of quality programmes as clearly articulated in the national education policy 2004-2015. He added that the state-of-the-art Kanilai science and technology academy which is near completion will serve a lot for the student from the UTG with special aptitude in science and technology as it will help build new train and competent professional who will guide and direct the socio-economic, scientific and technological transformation of The Gambia.

The then urged the UTG to prepare the people to be flexible and creative and called on the UTG to forge strategic alliances and partnership with the private sector and interested individuals in the funding of higher education to complement government efforts. He noted that the Gambia government considers such partnership as necessary ingredients for the real impact on the growth and development of the university.

He then saluted the chairman and members of the UTG governing council, Vice Chancellor, staff and students for a job well done. For the graduants, he implored on them to feel proud of themselves and celebrate their well earn success and challenged them to make best use of their degrees obtained.

For his part, Professor Andreas Steigen, Vice Chancellor, University of The Gambia said convocation is a milestone in an academic carrer for graduates and their families. He said for the graduates, it is a first stepping stone for a longer carrer noting that their achievements will help them to work in society and participate in the ongoing transformation of the country.

He then urged the graduates to always aim to be a quality worker and prepare to face future challenges of the world today. “ There is always daily challenges. Work for the common good, prepare yourselves for creativity and wisdom, look for the new challenges, possibilities and solutions.

He also highlighted the several achievements registered by the UTG and paid special tribute to the government of the Gambia and the Gambian people.

More on the Convocation ceremony tomorrow in our special UTG issue.