H.E. Chancellor of UTG, President Jammeh’s speech

I am indeed very delighted and proud to be part of this great and historic occasion of the 4th Convocation Ceremony of the University of The Gambia. We are gathered here today for a very solemn occasion in which we confer degrees to young men and women, marking the end of years of hard work and sacrifice on the part of the graduands, their parents and staff of the University of The Gambia. All of you have every reason to be proud too. This occasion, more than anything else, should help to rekindle our pride as Gambians.

The University of The Gambia is very central to our development aspirations and, therefore, my graduands, will not relent in our efforts to ensure its growth and sustainability. It is however not the business of Government alone.

Every Gambian at home and in the diaspora, and friends of The Gambia are encouraged to join the crusade to consolidate the growth and further development of the university.

Mr Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

My government’s unwavering and steadfast commitment to develop and consolidate higher education is explicitly articulated in the New Education Policy 2004-2015.

The Tertiary and Higher Education component of the Education Policy 2004-2015, provides for the University of The Gambia to “build and establish working relationships with existing tertiary institutions in the country to strengthen its infrastructure as well as to develop the nucleus for an enduring and sustainable higher education system in The Gambia.

My Government fully supports the integration and consolidation of higher education institutions and structures in order to develop a robust system of education, that is more responsive to student and labour market needs, yet effective and efficient in utilizing the physical, financial and human resources of the higher education sub-sector.

Mr Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

This not withstanding, you the graduands, have worked hard enough to earn the accolade that you are going to receive. Of course, the successes we are celebrating today also reflect the resourcefulness and creativity of the leadership of the university and its Governing Council. So, I want to commend all of you, the graduating students, academic staff and the university authorities for your efforts, and to heartily congratulate you on your achievement.

Mr Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

The rapid and impressive gains in access and equity in the basic and secondary school systems in recent years will directly increase demand for tertiary places, infrastructure and resources.

As Chancellor of this University and Head of State, I am aware of the seriousness of the constraints that continue to be experienced by the University; constraints such as inadequate material and human resources, and the increasing demand for university education without a corresponding expansion in infrastructure.

Without the expansion of the infrastructure and recruitment of additional academic staff, the quality and utility of higher education delivered could be compromised. My government will never allow such a situation to persist and I would like to assure you that appropriate measures are already in place to address these requirements.

Mr Chairman,

Universities, whether privately or publicly funded, have a special responsibility and mandate to assist society in achieving its development aspirations. I am encouraged that the vision and activities of the UTG are consistent with those of the nation as a whole.

A shared vision between the university and society in general allows for the kind of concerted approach that this nation requires at such a crucial moment in its history.

It is therefore heartening to note that the university has continued to make rapid strides in the development, establishment and improvement of a wide range of academic, career-oriented and professional programmes.

With the introduction of a number of new programmes in ICT and Law, the university has already demonstrated its capacity to vigorously support the nation’s efforts to indigenise the Gambian Bench by 2011. Similarly, I am informed of the discussions underway between the Department of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the Directorate of National Treasury and the University of The Gambia, to introduce a course for accountants, financial analysts and managers to fill the capacity gaps that exist in the public sector, and indeed, meet the needs of financial institutions. I am delighted also to learn of the introduction of a two-year Master of Arts degree in African History.

This very important because if your history is written by other persons, it will not reflect your true history. I hope in addition to the skills and intellectual discipline that this course would instill in the graduates, the country will also directly benefit from having its history and peoples studied and researched in greater depth, generating correct information and knowledge about The Gambia.

Education continues to be of very high priority for my government. This priority is predicated on the fact that only higher education could provide the high-level intellectual and specialised technical skills that are necessary to realise the socio-economic and technological transformation of the country.

My government places great value on education that is productive and that can add value to our country’s efforts in the attainment of food self-sufficiency and the overall socio-economic and technological objectives of The Gambia. The recent creation of the Department of State for higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, reflects my Government’s vision of the kind of education we are aspiring to achieve.

Mr Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Let me once again congratulate the graduands and their parents for their tremendous success and sacrifice. For the parents, I can see from your large turnout that you feel proud, relieved and excited because your sons and daughters are graduating today.

We share in your joy and would like to congratulate you, on the achievement of your wards. Your efforts and investments have yielded fruits today. It is my hope that our new graduates will never forget their parents, guardians and all those who have contributed to their success.

Remember as graduates, wherever you are or what ever you get, you can’t forget those who made you what you are.

Mr Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

This ceremony for the conferment of degrees provides yet another opportunity to renew our commitment to uphold the tradition of excellence that our university has always exemplified.

It is an opportunity for us to rededicate ourselves to the collective task of strengthening this national institution of higher learning and by extension, to the development of our dear motherland - The Gambia.

I thank you all for your attention.