By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The US Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Sharon L Cromer, recently paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology(MOHERST). The visit was ment to aquire first hand information about the higher education sector.
In his welcoming statement, Hon. Professor Pierre Gomez expressed appreciation for the visit and also used the opportunity to share the ministry’s plans with the ambassador. He stated that the Ministry is currently working on the Construction of the new University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) as a Centre of Excellence, the decentralization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in every region of The Gambia, among many others.
Hon. Gomez also expressed the need for collaboration and support, especially with the US Embassy in The Gambia.
Her Excellency Cromer was pleased with the Ministry’s strategic plan of transforming the tertiary and higher education system of The Gambia.
She went on to highlight that these developments come at a good time when United States investors are looking forward to coming to The Gambia to be able to take part in investment efforts in the country, in which the demand for skilled labour is highly needed.
She also informed officials of the available opportunities for students and staff of the sector to benefit from. These include the Mandela Fellowship Program, Humphrey Fellowship Program, Fulbright Scholars Program, International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) and Pan Africa Youth Program.
