By Fatoumata Joof
The Committee tasked to develop an implementation plan for The Gambia College’s transformation into a university of education has finally submitted a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST). The handover ceremony was held last week at the Ministry’s conference hall in Bijilo. The Report outlines strategic processes of elevating The Gambia College’s current mandate to a more efficient higher education institution with the sole aim of producing quality teachers and educationists. The institution’s core mandate will now be designed to ensure the provision of quality and relevant teacher education and training of world-class teachers and educators in The Gambia; who will serve the entire education sector from early childhood education (ECD) level, to higher education levels.
In his opening statement, the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, revealed that the name Gambia College will cease to exist from 1st January, 2025. He said the new name of the institution will officially be called the University of Education, The Gambia (UEG). Speaking further, Prof Gomez said that the transformation of the Management Development Institute (MDI) into University of Civil Service and The Gambia College into the University of Education will simultaneously be done with capacity building for the university personnel to enable them effectively execute their duties. Minister Gomez thanked the Committee for giving back to the nation without requesting any financial payment, as the committee decided to use its own resources to carry out the assignment given to them.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Dr. Alieu Badara Senghore, said majority of the Committee members have sentimental attachment to The Gambia College, and wanted to see that the transformation of the College is successfully done. He the assignment was given to them following the formation of the Committee, which was done with key stakeholders, including related education ministries and other educational institutions. Dr. Senghore further explained that the report has been designed in four key areas: the content and background of the assignment of the transformation process, where they developed an implementation plan; the governance structure; as well as the integration of the school of education into the University of Education, The Gambia. In his vote of thanks, Aboubacarr Jallow, the Principal of The Gambia College, revealed that teacher education is the most significant component of development in society. He commended the late Vice President and former Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Alieu Badara Joof, for laying the foundation for development and knowledge improvements. He further applauded The Gambia Government, through the Ministry, for entrusting them with the transformation process.
The handover ceremony was chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yusupha Touray. It was attended by Committee members and senior staff of MoHERST. The Permanent Secretary commended The Gambia College Transformation Committee for an exceptional job and described the report as one of the most significant components of the Ministry’s transformation agenda. He highlighted the significance of human capital development in education, pointing out that “our education system can only succeed when we have the right human capital in place”.
