By Mahzouba Maya Faal & Lamin Kujabi
President Adama Barrow on Monday, 28th November 2022 laid the foundation stone for the USET Agribusiness Training Centre in Kerewan Mandinka, Central River Region of The Gambia. MRC Holland Foundation is supporting The Gambia Government in constructing this training centre.
In his statement, President Adama Barrow said his Government puts great effort and emphasis on TVET education. Thus, he is optimistic that the USET Agribusiness Training Centre will provide learning opportunities for the youth of the country, which in turn will be of benefit to their communities and the country, at large. The President also lauded the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology under the active leadership of Professor Pierre Gomez, for coming up with this significant project and the MRC Holland Foundation, for supporting the construction phase.
During the foundation stone laying, the Minister of Higher Education, Professor Pierre Gomez underlined the importance of the training centre in producing engineers and technicians who will take charge of the developmental imperatives of the country. Hon. Gomez informed that the Ministry’s strategic plan is to decentralise Technical and Vocational Education and Training to every region of the country. He said for the first time in The Gambia, students from these skills training centres can transition to the University of Applied Science Engineering and Technology upon completion of their training with the right qualifications. This, he said, gives them a ladder to pursue higher education in their areas of study.
Henrietta Sonko, founder of MRC Holland Foundation assured the President and MoHERST that her team will do their best to construct a standard Agribusiness Training Centre where young people will learn skills that will benefit them and The Gambia.
She said the initiative also aims to discourage rural-urban drifting.
