Ten best and outstanding students from The University of The Gambia’s graduating class this year (2023), have been awarded Post Graduate Scholarships abroad by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. This was on the 30th of March, 2023 at an award ceremony held at the Ministry’s complex in Bijilo.
According to the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Professor Pierre Gomez, the Post Graduate Scholarships are in countries the Ministry has bilateral relations with. Also, he informed that the award provides a platform for recognizing excellence in higher education. As a result, 10 deserving and meritorious students have been awarded to pursue their graduate studies.
“The Ministry intends to build the human capital stock of the country through increased access to tertiary and higher education. Special prominence will be given to increase female participation in education,” Hon. Prof Gomez stated, adding that the Ministry is working towards producing the first home-grown engineers thereby increasing the pool of experts, reducing the incidence of capital flight and improving economic growth and development in The Gambia.
Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Yusupha Touray, underlined that the education systems are designed to meet socio-economic advancements, and where this is adequately implemented, nations become self-reliant and socio-economically advanced.
As a result, Dr Touray highlighted the significance of the award ceremony in recognising excellence and providing further learning opportunities to the awardees in order for them to realise their best potential and thus, contribute towards the national development of The Gambia.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow graduates, Valedictorian Ya Adam Njie thanked the Chancellor of UTG and President of The Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow and the Minister of Higher Education, Professor Pierre Gomez for the award of graduate scholarships.
“It means so much to us. Having the chance to pursue our education without the stress of finance is such a great honour and we are very thankful," said Ya Adam.
The 10 best graduates from The University of The Gambia and recipients of the MoHERST Students' Excellence Award, 2023, who will be pursuing graduate studies abroad are;
1. Ya Adam Njie,
Valedictorian - BSc Computer Science
2. Ismaila Jobarteh,
2nd Best December 2021 Cohort - BSc Political Science
3. Muhammed J Bah,
3rd Best December 2021 Cohort - BSc Political Science
4. Sainey Ceesay,
Best Student for May 2022 Cohort - BSc Agriculture
5. Sheikh Mass Jah,
2nd Best Student for May 2022 Cohort - BSc Accountancy
6. Jallow Yaya,
3rd Best Student for May 2022 Cohort - BSc Mathematics
7. Fatoumatta Darboe,
Best Student for the 15th Cohort - Medicine
8. Jainaba Jallow,
2nd Best Student for the 15th Cohort - Medicine
9. Abisatou Secka,
3rd Best Student for the 15th Cohort – Medicine
10. Lagamy Gumaneh, Students' Leadership Award - LLB Law
