By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia and Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, on Sunday, April 21st presided over the 16th convocation ceremony of the University of The Gambia, which saw the graduation of 1300 students from various faculties and levels including Master’s and PhD.
Speaking on the occasion, the President described the graduates as the future ambassadors of UTG. He said nation building requires patriotism. “Education and training empowers people to be able to contribute immensely to the society,” he stated. He called on the graduates to join the ranks of change agents in the society. “We need to overcome our challenge and knowledge is a change agency. Graduates should be resilient in the face of difficulty. My government is committed to improving and supporting education in the country,” he remarked.
The President thanked the donors, staff of UTG and partners for the support. He observed that the UTG Faraba Banta campus is fully furnished with modern equipment and with structures that are life-time buildings.
Professor Herbert Robinson, Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, thanked and welcomed all to the convocation ceremony. He told the gathering that this was his third UTG convocation ceremony since his appointment as Vice Chancellor in 2022. He reported that for the first time UTG is graduating civil and electronic engineering professionals.
“UTG is focused on three main areas: teaching and learning and measures to address the needs of the Gambians. UTG has put plans to support government in the area of technology-smart agriculture,” he said. He revealed that the University is partnering with the World Bank, and Germany Federal Bureau to provide land programme to help to address land management in the country. “The UTG is also working with other institutions in the world to help develop programme on technology, which will provide growth for development,” he added.
The VC further highlighted the numerous programmes and projects introduced by the University including capacity building for the staff, both long and medium terms, and providing support to MDI, GTTI and Gambia College.
Mr Robinson however pointed out that the UTG is not without challenges. These, he highlighted, include financial challenges, as the subvention by the government is not enough to carry out the university’s activities, in spite tuition fee has not been increased since 2015.
He thanked government for resolving the space issue by facilitating their transfer to the main campus in Faraba Banta.
The Vice Chancellor also thanked the President, Ministry of Higher Education, students and staff of UTG for their cordial support and cooperation.
He advised the graduates to change challenges to opportunities that others and the country can benefit from.
Mathew P. Ndure, Chairperson of the University of The Gambia Governing Council acknowledged that the government is committed to supporting the University, and called on Gambians abroad to support our young people for the advancement of the country.
Mr. Kebba Secka is the valedictorian and overall best student of this year’s convocation.
The ceremony was attended by ministers, senior government officials, security chiefs, friends and families of graduates and a cross-section of the society.
