By: Fatoumata Joof
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHERST) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) in The Gambia, last week organized a day-long Erasmus+ National information Day for The Gambia’s Tertiary and Higher Education sector. The purpose of the event was to avail the Gambia’s Tertiary and Higher Education institutions the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ Program and to provide them with the necessary information, guidance and tools necessary to increase their participation in the Erasmus+ Program so as to submit high quality proposals to win projects. Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology , Professor Pierre Gomez described the EU Erasmus+ National Information Day as a very significant day which brought together the tertiary and higher education sector not only to explore the remarkable opportunities that the European Union, through the Erasmus+ Programme extended to the tertiary and higher education institutions in The Gambia but to equally celebrate the transformative power of international cooperation and exchange in education, training, youth and sport.
He explained that the event will provide the tertiary and higher education sector with the necessary information and guidance to increase their participation so as to submit quality proposals to be able to win projects within the Erasmus+ Programme. He underscored that through participation in the collaboration projects, Gambia’s tertiary and higher education institutions will access funding and resources to bolster research initiatives curriculums development and the adoption of cutting- edge teaching methodologies. He urged all stakeholders, educators, policy makers, students and researchers to actively engage with the Erasmus+ Programme and seize the opportunity the programme affords them in order to forge meaningful partnership, enhance diversity, and harness the transformative power of international collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Ms. Aisha Sillah, highlighted that the Erasmus+ Programme is one of the European Union’s most valuable tools for fostering international cooperation in education, training, youth and sport. She underscored that since the inception of the programme, significant contribution was made in building bridges between countries, creating opportunities for young people, educators and institutions to learn from each other and work together across borders. She outlined that the EU firmly believes in the transformative power of education. Thus, development of tertiary and higher education is essential to building knowledge, strengthening human capital and driving sustainable development. She stated that EU remains committed to supporting the Gambia’s educational development and recognizes the importance of global competitiveness of the country’s institutions. The event was moderated by the Erasmus+ Focal Point of The Gambia and Principal Science and Technology and Innovation Officer of the Ministry, Mr. Edward A. Mendy.
