Says President Jammeh as he donates 1/2 million plus for UTG Convocation

His Excellency, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has made it clear that the University of the Gambia will always be his number one priority, as education and the training of competent professionals is crucial to development.

The General Convocation Committee of The University of The Gambia (UTG) called on President Jammeh, the founder and Chancellor, at State House, on Wednesday.

The purpose of the high-powered delegation was to inform His Excellency, the president of the plans for the Convocation to be held on Saturday, the 26th of January, 2008. The UTG delegation was led by the SoS, Higher Education, Abdoulie Sallah; Chairman of the UTG Board, Mr Abdoulie Touray and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Andreas Steigen.

Also in attendance were Mr Lamin Sam Jaiteh, the Registrar; Senior Lecturer Jenung Manneh, chairman of the General Convocation Committee; PS Higher Education, Dr Saidou Jallow; the star-graduate of UTG, SoS Tourism, Ms Angela Colley; the Attorney General Marie Saine-Firdaus and SoS Local Gov’t, Lands & Religious Affairs, Mr Ismaila Sambou.

Generosity

A happy and jocular President Jammeh expressed his pride in the existence of The University of The Gambia and the fact that so many Gambians are graduating from the UTG to serve the nation.

"Many were sceptical and many thought we could not do it," said President Jammeh, adding "I am proud of our University. I will always support it and I will safeguard it jealously. It is my baby and I will look after its well-being." As Mr. Jenung Manneh presented his budget for the Convocation, the president offered to pick up the bill for the reception at D227,200.00 and then went further and agreed to pick up the bill for the Convocation Dinner at D350,000.00. The gathered audience, including this reporter, were overwhelmed by the president’s generosity, but the president went further still and raised prizes for star-students from as low as 2,000 dalasis to 10,000 and raised other prizes from 5,000 to 20,000.

Warning

Moving on to a more serious message, the President warned university teachers to stick to teaching and to avoid political demagoguery. "I want my university to have high academic standards and I will not tolerate mediocrity or political demagoguery", said the President. The president advised malcontent lecturers to look elsewhere. "Students of my university are dedicated to good academic achievements and development of the country" said the president. "Non-performing teachers have no place at the university," stressed the president.

For his part, the Board chairman, Mr. Abdoulie Touray, eloquently described the president’s commitment and support of the UTG, stressing that this is not the first time the President has supported the University.

"Your Excellency, you have supported us generously for all the past convocations and we are grateful," said Mr. Touray. The Vice-Chanclellor also thanked the President and emphasised that standards will be maintained and the warning about sub-standard teachers will be addressed.