Back and Next - Back and NextPetroleum graduates to be absorbed
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The first batch of 25 Gambian graduates of the petroleum elite programme in Taiwan will be absorbed by the Department of State for Energy and the Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC), according to government officials.
The graduates arrived in Banjul on Sunday afternoon, after successfully completing a four-year degree programme in petroleum engineering at the National Taipei University of Technology in Taipei, Taiwan.
Uphill task
The performance of the group has been levitated as outstanding; thus, leaving behind an unpolluted academic legacy that has driven confidence in hearts of authorities both in Banjul and Taipei to extend the olive branch, for more Gambians students to undergo university programmes in ICT and other fields in the Asian-Pacific island state.
It had been a hellish challenge for the young Gambia graduates, some of whom had grizzled and moaned at the troubles the programme presented during the first few semesters. But with unwavering determination and vigour, they emerged with glory.
Shortly after their arrival, the students were hosted to a reception and a press conference held at a restaurant at the Banjul International Airport, presided over by Ousman Jammeh, the secretary of state for Energy.
In his address to the graduates, who were joined by their families and loved ones, SoS Jammeh formally welcomed the group home on behalf of President Jammeh - the initiator of the programme - and the government of The Gambia. He congratulated the graduates for their steadfastness and valour to succeed, despite the numerous challenges they had faced.
For SoS Jammeh, the graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, which will require yet more determination to accomplish.
“You have been very good ambassadors, you are the pioneers and you have made it. We hope that others will emulate you,” he told the shining graduates, fresh from the academic world.
What next?
The Energy secretary of state informed the press conference that although the young graduates had spent four years together and returned home in unison, they would not be working in the same offices. “Arrangements have been made for some of you to work at the GNPC and my own department. I will be coaching some of you who would be working in my department,” he elaborated.
Maintaining that a good number of the graduates will be absorbed, SoS Jammeh disclosed that some of them would go on attachment for more practical experience, which is crucial to the oil industry.
“We are going to work closely together so that we can make the best use of these talents. There are concrete plans in place. It is a challenge,” he said, urging them to live up to expectations, as there is no room for foot-dragging. He also informed the ceremony that efforts are in progress for the oil exploration to begin in 2009.
For his part, the Taiwanese ambassador, Richard Shih joined SoS Jammeh in commending the graduates for their performance. He told the gathering that it was because of their remarkable performance that another batch was sent to undergo an ICT programme in Taiwan. He said another batch of 25 Gambians will also leave for Taiwan to undergo a programme in civil engineering.
The Taiwanese ambassador thanked the graduates for upgrading the level of soccer in Taiwan, adding that they were part of the university soccer team that won the championship last year.
“After four years of hard work, it’s time to harvest,” he told the graduates, urging them to be good ambassadors of Taiwan in The Gambia.
Fafa Sanyang, the commissioner of Petroleum, said the graduates will be assisting the Commission and the GNPC in geological matters, negotiating licenses, work programmes, amongst others. “We are growing up with the industry. And if there is any offshore activity, you would be deployed,” he said.
Commissioner Sanyang disclosed that they cannot assure “100% technology” for the country’s young industry, saying that you can be an “engineer and perform in management positions”.
Isatou Jallow, one of the graduates, expressed gratitude on behalf of her colleagues and expressed their preparedness to contribute to national development.
In his statement, Momodou Badjie, the managing director of GNPC, paid tribute to President Jammeh for initiating the programme. Mr Badjie also thanked all those who have in one way or the other contributed to the success of the programme.
The group has been granted a one-month long leave and are expected to start work on August 1.
The ceremony, which was chaired by Sheriff Faye, the assistant commissioner of Petroleum, was also attended by Abdoulie Sallah, the secretary to the Cabinet and Ebrima Camara, a permanent secretary at the Office of the President.
The graduates arrived in Banjul on Sunday afternoon, after successfully completing a four-year degree programme in petroleum engineering at the National Taipei University of Technology in Taipei, Taiwan.
Uphill task
The performance of the group has been levitated as outstanding; thus, leaving behind an unpolluted academic legacy that has driven confidence in hearts of authorities both in Banjul and Taipei to extend the olive branch, for more Gambians students to undergo university programmes in ICT and other fields in the Asian-Pacific island state.
It had been a hellish challenge for the young Gambia graduates, some of whom had grizzled and moaned at the troubles the programme presented during the first few semesters. But with unwavering determination and vigour, they emerged with glory.
Shortly after their arrival, the students were hosted to a reception and a press conference held at a restaurant at the Banjul International Airport, presided over by Ousman Jammeh, the secretary of state for Energy.
In his address to the graduates, who were joined by their families and loved ones, SoS Jammeh formally welcomed the group home on behalf of President Jammeh - the initiator of the programme - and the government of The Gambia. He congratulated the graduates for their steadfastness and valour to succeed, despite the numerous challenges they had faced.
For SoS Jammeh, the graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, which will require yet more determination to accomplish.
“You have been very good ambassadors, you are the pioneers and you have made it. We hope that others will emulate you,” he told the shining graduates, fresh from the academic world.
What next?
The Energy secretary of state informed the press conference that although the young graduates had spent four years together and returned home in unison, they would not be working in the same offices. “Arrangements have been made for some of you to work at the GNPC and my own department. I will be coaching some of you who would be working in my department,” he elaborated.
Maintaining that a good number of the graduates will be absorbed, SoS Jammeh disclosed that some of them would go on attachment for more practical experience, which is crucial to the oil industry.
“We are going to work closely together so that we can make the best use of these talents. There are concrete plans in place. It is a challenge,” he said, urging them to live up to expectations, as there is no room for foot-dragging. He also informed the ceremony that efforts are in progress for the oil exploration to begin in 2009.
For his part, the Taiwanese ambassador, Richard Shih joined SoS Jammeh in commending the graduates for their performance. He told the gathering that it was because of their remarkable performance that another batch was sent to undergo an ICT programme in Taiwan. He said another batch of 25 Gambians will also leave for Taiwan to undergo a programme in civil engineering.
The Taiwanese ambassador thanked the graduates for upgrading the level of soccer in Taiwan, adding that they were part of the university soccer team that won the championship last year.
“After four years of hard work, it’s time to harvest,” he told the graduates, urging them to be good ambassadors of Taiwan in The Gambia.
Fafa Sanyang, the commissioner of Petroleum, said the graduates will be assisting the Commission and the GNPC in geological matters, negotiating licenses, work programmes, amongst others. “We are growing up with the industry. And if there is any offshore activity, you would be deployed,” he said.
Commissioner Sanyang disclosed that they cannot assure “100% technology” for the country’s young industry, saying that you can be an “engineer and perform in management positions”.
Isatou Jallow, one of the graduates, expressed gratitude on behalf of her colleagues and expressed their preparedness to contribute to national development.
In his statement, Momodou Badjie, the managing director of GNPC, paid tribute to President Jammeh for initiating the programme. Mr Badjie also thanked all those who have in one way or the other contributed to the success of the programme.
The group has been granted a one-month long leave and are expected to start work on August 1.
The ceremony, which was chaired by Sheriff Faye, the assistant commissioner of Petroleum, was also attended by Abdoulie Sallah, the secretary to the Cabinet and Ebrima Camara, a permanent secretary at the Office of the President.
Author: by Ebrima Jaw Manneh
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