History tells us that academics, through revolutionary university education, has always been at the forefront of the development of our murdern-day world. Governments that are alive to this fact have always made sure of the provision of space for peaceful co-existence with their country’s academic fraternity.

The advocates of our dear UTG, it seems (from the chief architect, President jammeh, down to the facilitators and the experts), have not lost sight of this fact. By all indications, they have been keen on toeing a similar line. This is demonstrable in the achievement registered within this short period of its inception.

Having overseen the graduation of close to a thousand well tuned students, in less than 10 years of operation, those at the helm of the country’s highest institution of learning have all the reasons to boast of their effort.  

Almost on a yearly basis a new thing is introduced. This year’s convocation was unique by nature, as it saw the introduction of two new things; the chancellor’s lecture series and the chancellor’s banquet.

Held last Monday, the maiden chancellor lecture succeeded the dinner, traditionally thrown on behalf of the graduating students. And as usual, the post convocation ceremonies were held at the Paradise Suits Hotel. In attendance were high profile dignitaries, from the honorable SOS for Higher and Tertiary Education, to the core of the private sector.

The presence of the first ever chaiman of the university governing council, Dr Lamin Marena, added a mood of uniqueness on the occasion. And the graduating class of 2008, in addition to all this, would certainly relish the memories of their post graduation treatment, as they and their loved ones were unusually treated to a delightful performance of a star artist during the dinner, in the person of Sambou Suso, courtesy of the host hotel, paradise Suits, in addition to the delicious meal that was served. But before all this, we had to go through a marathon lecture that lasted for close to four hours. Nonetheless, it was a stunning revelation - the knowledge that small Gambia was endowed with such a mesmerizing Gambia luminary in the academic field.

The distinguished professor Kah ( We must give him the credit for coining the term ‘brain circulation’, as opposed to drain drain’), absolutely defended the worth of his title, and this was in fact plainly expressed in the seemingly never ending line of achievement detailed by the University Registrar, as the master of ceremony, Lamin Sam Jaiteh, when he introduecd the audience to the guest speaker, professor Kah. The work of the Gambia-born Nigeria based academic takes him across the length and breadth of the globe; from Africa to the Americas,  as well as Asia.

The Chancellor’s lecture series

The idea behind this is to create a platform for the discourse of contemporary burning issues. The topic at hand on Monday was indeed quite timely, considering the level of readiness demonstrated by government in the promotion of science and technology. This, Professor Kah believes, is fundamental in the development process of every nation, “and the Gambia,” he said, “was no exception”. His lecture centered around three very important sub-topics: the importance of University in the development of a country, a discourse on the silicon value initiative and knowledge economy.

Telecommunications, said the erudite professor, is a dispensable guideline in the Gambia’s development aspiration, as it offers enhancement of economic development. The private sector, he went on, needs to partner with government to build the country. He described the silicon valley initiative as a giant move towards information and knowledge base economy, and he hailed the Gambia leader for his foresight. “The Kanilai academy, sponsorship of deserving students to study in Taiwan and Venezuela can be help in propelling the development course of this country,” he posited.

Perhaps, the thing that moved the professor most was the establishment of the university of the Gambia. This he expressed in the following statement: “I am quite sure that if the president were asked to point at one of the greatest achievement of his government, he would say the University.”

However, the professor said stressed the need for a campus in order for us to realize the goals of establishing the institution. He said that there was no great institution with out a campus, citing Oxford, Harvard, Al Azhar, among others, as examples. History, he said, will record UTG as one of the greatest achievement of this country. Therefore, it should be a national priority.

He said that denying students a campus is an unforgivable wrong. He however recognized the effort by the government ensuring the provision of a campus. “History, he went on still, will not forgive those that advice government against building a campus.

The trust bank sponsored lecture was succeeded by the much awaited dinner, which was said to have been sponsored exclusively by the Gambian leader, who is in fact the chancellor of the university of the Gambia.  

watch out for a comprehensive report on the lecture on next week’s society.