By Mahzouba Maya Faal
Through the Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow Foundation (FaBB), the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, has awarded scholarships to ten deserving young women to pursue their undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields at The University of The Gambia (UTG). The Scholarship award ceremony was held at the State House in Banjul.
In her remarks, Her Excellency Madam Bah-Barrow encouraged the awardees to be steadfast in their pursuit of knowledge and excel with flying colours.
“I will be with you throughout your educational journey. Be role models so others can be encouraged,” she admonished.
Furthermore, Madam Bah-Barrow took the opportunity to encourage two of the awardees, who are mothers, to push forward amidst the challenges posed by motherhood during an academic journey.
In his remarks, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for her relentless support to women and girls’ education in the country; especially those in the STEM fields, which he said is a priority area for Government. He advised the awardees to be firm in character and learning.
“Her Excellency sees you as agents of change, so she is investing in you. Go and conquer, address the gender imbalance, be excellent students, finish with flying colours and make her proud,” Hon. Gomez advised.
The FaBB Foundation is a non-profit organisation initiated by First Lady Bah Barrow to pursue her desire to bring about change, save and improve the lives of the vulnerable groups of the society throughout The Gambia.
Ms. Halimatou Jallow, one of the awardees, and nursing student at the University of The Gambia, shared how happy and grateful she is for the award. “I feel great! Now, I can focus on my education knowing I will not pay my tuition fees. I want to thank Her Excellency the First Lady for the support. I will make her proud and keep up with my grades,” she said.
Ms. Lucy Gomez, a student of architecture at UTG, indicated that the scholarship would lessen the burden on her parents. “I was very worried about my tuition fees. But now that I have the scholarship, I’m thrilled. Even though society does not see us worthy, the First Lady found us worthy as women and girls to support our education. For that, we are grateful,” Lucy said.
These awards will complement the Government’s policy drive in STEM fields of education and training in The Gambia
