Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK, in collaboration with the University of The Gambia (UTG) on Wednesday 17th October launched a Masters Programme on Public Health and Environment, at a ceremony held at the lecture and theatre hall of School Medicine in Banjul.

The Masters Programme in Public Health and Environment, which was started about two weeks ago,  is expected to last for 2 and half years. A total of 28 students had enrolled for the programme with 3 students drawned from Sierra Leone and the rest from The Gambia. The programme is meant to provide and equip the medical students with the necessary informaation on public health and environment and to also provide cost effective, affordable and quality education to the beneficianes.

Proffessor Andreas Steigen, Vice-Chancellor at the University of The Gambia (UTG), said the “launching  of the Master Programme in Public Health and Environment in The Gambia constitutes yet another milestone in the development of the UTG.”  The UTG Vice-Chancellor spoke at length on the historical background of Public  Health and Environment education in the world.  He then recognised the presence of the beneficiaries .

Dr Rachael Sixey, Head of the Health Promotion Departmant at the Leeds Metropolitan University, expressed delight over the implementation of the Masters Programme in Public Health and Environment in The Gambia. 

According to her,  Leeds Metropolitan University  has embarked, over the years in this programme, noting that The Gambia has been chosen, following a fruitful cooperation between the two higher learning institutions.  She emphasised the importance of the Masters Mrogramme, describing it as very cost effective which will reduce the burden of students travelling to the UK to acquire masters programme in Public Health and Environment.

Dr Rachael Sixey assured her institution’s readiness to work in glove with the UTG towards successful implementaton of the new programme in The Gambia.

Similar sentiments were reechoed by Makry Green, Course Coordinator for the Masters Programme on Public Health and Environment in The Gambia  and Zambia.

Other speakers included Arturo Mendendez, who delivered the welcoming remarks; while Mr Hassan Njai, Head of Department of Public Health , School of Medicine and Allied Health Science, UTG delivered the vote of thanks.

The launch ceremony was attended by students, lecturers and Administrative officials of both the UTG and School of Medicine, Modou Sanyang, Director- General of the GRTS, media practitioners and dignitanes, respectively.