By Mahzouba Maya Faal
In honoring the invitation of the President of the Higher Education Commission (YÖK) of the Republic of Türkiye, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, recently concluded an official trip to the Republic of Türkiye.
During his visit, the Minister and his delegation met with YÖK, the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) and similarly held bilateral meetings with universities and Gambian students studying in Türkiye.
Successful meetings were conducted between the Hon.Minister’s team and the rectors and officials of Istanbul University, Ankara University, Middle East Technical University, Karadeniz Technical University,Yunus Emre Institute and Maarif Foundation. The delegation was hosted by YÖK and had fruitful areas of collaboration outlined between the two sectors of tertiary and higher education and scientific research. The delegation also conducted meetings with Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) and the officials responsible for Turkiye Scholarships (YTB).
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Ministry and YÖK and between the institutions visited and UTG. More agreements will be signed between these institutions and the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) as well.
The agreements reached, and the scholarships secured will be pursued by a proposed Technical Committee through the supervision of MoHERST, YOK and TIKA, and the follow-up activities of The Gambian Embassy in Turkiye.
The Hon Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Dr. Yusupha Touray; the Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation of MoHERST, Mr. Samba Sowe ;Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, Professor Herbert Samuel Robinson; and Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture & Environmental Science, UTG, Dr. Mamma Sawaneh.
