A two-member educational appraisal mission delegation, from Taipei, Taiwan under the auspices of the Taiwanese International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) recently arrived in The Gambia for a two-week working visit.

The delegation included Ms Sophia Jan and Mr. Vincent Wu, Taiwan, ICDF Project Manager for the vocational training programme and consultant, respectively.

Speaking to the Daily Observer recently, Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia said the delegation’s visit is in connection with the vocational training loan between the two countries.

According to him, it will also ascertain the cooperation in helping the country trains young people in skills development.

Ambassador Chang added that this project has been under consideration with quite a few vocational training institutions’ involvement.
 
He expressed hope that a series of negotiation between the   delegation and the sector concerned, ‘will reach contract level in order to reinforce and improve the vocational training environment of this country’.

“This programme will be beneficial to the people of The Gambia, especially the business sector,” he said.

Ambassador Chang expressed gratitude to President Jammeh for his efforts in improving the country’s development to the joy and pride of all Gambians.

He then announced that the delegation will during their visit, meet the Secretary of State for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Secretary of State for Basic Cycles Education, the National Training Authority, Social Development Fund (SDF) Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Gambia Technical Training Institution and Siffoe, where the construction of a new Senior Technical Secondary School is ongoing.

For his part, Vincent Wu, Consultant of the project said The Gambia has a long-term liaison in the human resources and the involvement of the vocational training is an important part of human development.

He also expressed hope that the programme will greatly help the young people of The Gambia in job creation enterprises, as well as have enough human resources to run industries. “Another important element and component is the structures in building workshops, facilities, teacher training, survey projects and to improve teaching skills and curriculum development of teachers,” he said.

Ms Sophia Jan Project Manager for The Gambia Vocational Projects revealed that the programme will start this year, but will depend on the mission’s finding.

She finally noted that the project is basically for higher institutions, and then noted that they will work with the GTTI, GNTC, amongst others.