The Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) proudly commemorates the swearing-in of the first cohort of dental graduates from the University of The Gambia School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, held on 27th January 2026 at the Faculty of Law Auditorium, UTG Campus.
The ceremony represents a landmark achievement in The Gambia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national capacity in healthcare delivery and higher education. It marks the successful training of the country’s first homegrown dental surgeons—a significant step towards reducing reliance on foreign-trained specialists.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister, Professor Pierre Gomez, described the occasion as “the birth of a legacy” and a defining moment in the nation’s development trajectory.
The Honourable Minister highlighted that this milestone is the result of sustained government investment under the leadership of Adama Barrow. Since the 2018/2019 academic year, the Government has committed substantial resources towards the establishment and expansion of critical infrastructure at the University’s Banjul and Faraba Banta campuses, alongside providing full scholarships to all students in the inaugural dental cohort.
He also recognized the vital contributions of key individuals who laid the foundation for the programme, notably Dr Melville George and Dr Esangbedo, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in advancing dental education in The Gambia.
The Minister commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance and underscored the responsibility they carry as pioneers. As the first locally trained dental surgeons, they are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and service, while contributing to improved access to oral healthcare services across both urban and rural communities.
He further encouraged the graduates to pursue continuous professional development and specialization while remaining committed to national service and development.
This historic achievement reaffirms the Government’s commitment to building a resilient, self-sufficient, and high-quality higher education system that responds to national needs.
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