St Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), has celebrated its decade-long Promoting Educational and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) programme with the University of The Gambia, on January 29 in the US, according to reports from SMCM.

Bill Roberts, Programme Director and SMCM Professor of Anthropology, said during the celebrations that the theme peace was chosen to symbolise the peaceful nature of The Gambia and the goals of the programme.

Delivering the keynote address at the luncheon, Dodou Bammy Jagne, Gambian Ambassador to the US, echoed that “The Gambia is the United States best friend in this part of Africa.

Professor Roberts congratulated Ambassador Jagne on the successful conclusion of the National Assembly elections. He then acknowledged the vision and initiative of the UTG Chancellor, President Yahya Jammeh, in creating a national university, coupled with his untiring promotion of Gambian culture and values. “Cultural and educational exchange,” said Roberts, paraphrasing President Jammeh, “promotes mutual understanding which is the basis for friendship and peace.”

Roberts then thanked the College President Maggie O’Brien, for her untiring support for the College’s Gambia programme. Donald Wright, Professor of History, offered some historical perspective on education in The Gambia. He noted that between World War I and World War II, the British spent about as much on education for Gambians in the colony, as they had spent building and maintaining a tennis court at the British club every year.

He went on to say that a recent UTG graduate, Assan Sarr, currently working on his PhD in African History at Michigan State University (and the first UTG student to attend SMCM for a summer program in 2003), is reportedly one of the finest graduate students in the department in recent years.

Political Science Professor Sulayman Nyang of Howard University, noted the importance of creating institutional linkages that will benefit the development of the UTG into a university of great national, regional, and eventually, international reputation. “Small institutions such as St Mary’s College can serve as a mirror for America to check its image in Africa. Gambia is an African nation, where Americans can feel at home” he said.

After a traditional southern Maryland luncheon of crab soup and fish, the speakers resumed their remarks. Professor Roberts offered congratulations for the event sent by Professor Andreas Steigen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of The Gambia. He went on to announce PEACE scholarships for the 2007-2008 academic year. One scholarship is for an all-expenses-paid semester of study for one UTG student, and another for a two-month scholarship for a UTG faculty member to St Mary’s College.

Provost and Professor of Music Larry Vote, addressed the group and thanked President Jammeh, Ambassador Jagne, and the Gambian people for their willingness and support in building a programme of educational and cultural exchange, that clearly transforms the lives of individuals involved, and generates so much goodwill and friendship between communities and the two nations.

Ambassador Bammy Jagne, Guest Speaker at the celebration, conveyed greetings and warm wishes from President Jammeh, who was the commencement speaker for the 2004 SMCM graduating class, and received a honourary doctorate of education in acknowledgement of his unflagging efforts, on behalf of the Gambian people in this sector.

Ambassador Jagne noted the many strong personal friendships between Gambians and Americans that have developed as a result of the PEACE programme. Having grown from strength to strength, the Ambassador announced the creation of a “St Mary’s Desk” at the Gambian Embassy in Washington, and encouraged all to continue cooperative efforts to improve education through exchange between the two countries.

“Education is one of the most effective means to promote peace and prosperity over the long term, and with our continued efforts, our friendship and cooperation will grow into the future.”

Bala Saho, first Gambian to participate in the College’s exchange program in 1998 and former Cultural Officer for the National Council for Arts and Culture, who is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Anthropology at the University of Illinois, gave the vote of thanks.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Mr. Saho said that so many people have benefited from the PEACE programme and he prays to Almighty Allah for its continued growth in the years ahead.

Meanwhile, another group of St Mary’s College students are expected in The Gambia in late February. They will have a month-orientation programme, begin service-learning internship in Gambian schools and health centers, and register for classes at the UTG in April. A cohort of five or six SMCM faculty members will visit their counterparts at the UTG in May.

St Mary’s College of Maryland is ranked one of the best liberal arts colleges by US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s. With roots going back to 1840, SMCM is the State’s only public honours college, offering academic excellence of a top private college with the openness and affordability of public education.