At least three soldiers namely Ousman Jassey, Ansumana Gibba and Sang Isaac Jammeh of the Gambian Armed Forces were on Monday awarded Taiwanese scholarships by the Taiwanese Ambassador Dr. Patrick Chang.

The Taiwanese envoy presented the awards on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China on Taiwan, at a dinner hosted for the awardees by himself at his residence in Kololi.

The course, to be offered at a military academy in Taiwan, will last for four years from March 1st 2008 through August 31st 2012.

Speaking at the occasion ambassador Chang remind the students that they are going for a very important mission. He encouraged them to work hard while in Taiwan. “The president attaches a great importance to peace and security of this country. You need to set a very good example,” he noted. While describing the course as some thing special he said that in the first six months students would learn the Chinese language to be followed by the military training.

Deputizing for the Chief of Defense Staff CDS on the occasion, Deputy CDS colonel Ma Sanneh Kinteh encouraged the students to take the programme seriously. “This has added another dimension in the relationship between the armed forces of our two countries,” he said. He added that Taiwanese people are disciplined, hardworking and dedicated. These characteristics, he said, need to be emulated by the students. “I expect you to do your assignments to the best of your ability. We have always been performing well and this needs to be maintained” he added.

He thanked ambassador Chang for organizing the dinner in honor of the students.

The occasion was attended by Navy commander Sarjo Fofana, Lt. Colonel Biran Saine GNG, and Yankuba Drammeh Chief of Army staff.