Crispin Grey-Johnson, Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has revealed that 27 percent out of the 45 percent of the female students at the University of The Gambia are on scholarship.

SoS Grey-Johnson made these remarks recently at the National Assembly whilst responding to a question from Hon Tina Faal, nominated member of the National Assembly.

According to him, the percentage of female in the Science Department stands at 25 percent, adding that an impressive number has and is registering some successes in the Science Department at the University of The Gambia, including Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.

On the progress made on the establishment of skill centres in the rural areas, SoS Grey-Johnson said that the National Training Authority is in the process of registering and accrediting training institutions in the whole country. He added that they are also encouraging training providers to expand into the rural areas for the rural people to benefit from training. He further noted that the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) is also working on the re-establishment of the Rural Vocational Training Centre in Mansakonko and the Julangbel Skills Center in the Upper River Region. “The NTA is also working with International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) in Taiwan to fund a skills training centre in Siffoe in the Western Region. It is envisaged that a training center will be built in each region by the year 2015 to cater for skills training for the rural people”, he concluded.