The Qgroup Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) on Tuesday, 9 January awarded ten scholarships to grade 12 graduates to study at the University of The Gambia. Held at Qcell’s headquarters along Kairaba Avenue, the award ceremony was the third phase of the Qgroup Foundation’s scholarship package for UTG students targeting meriting and underprivileged students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The Chief Executive Officer of Qgroup Foundation, Madam Isatou Jah noted that the Foundation has been offering scholarships to students in various disciplines, whilst the partnership with MoBSE is to offer scholarships to students particularly in the STEM discipline.
“This partnership was specifically established to bridge the gap that we are seeing in our institutions of higher learning and encourage young students to venture into Mathematics, Science and ICT-related programmes at the University of The Gambia. Being a technology-based group, we are having challenges of finding suitably qualified Gambians in technology and related fields and we know that other organisations in the country that work in STEM areas are also facing similar challenges’’, Madam Jah elucidated.
The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Claudiana A Cole thanked the QGroup Foundation for supporting the education sector, and urged the awardees to take their studies seriously. “Science and technology is the future, and preparing the young people in STEM education is a step in the right direction’’.
The Director of Science, Technology and Education Directorate (STED), Mr. Ousman Bah noted that STEM is one of the most important areas in the development of any country. He stressed the need to focus more on STEM education for the development of the nation. He expressed gratitude to the QGroup Foundation for recognising the significance of STEM education.
He advised awardees to make best use of the opportunity.
Muhammed Jah, the Chairman of QGroup Foundation underscored how education can change one’s life irrespective of the person’s family background. “If you want to move in life you have to be educated. We think that there are lot of people both individuals and corporate who can sponsor one or two people in The Gambia. We are encouraging everybody in the country to commit to paying for one or two students every year, so that at the end, all of us will be educated. When we have an educated society, we will develop’’.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Sainabou Sibi expressed gratitude to the QGroup Foundation and MoBSE for availing them a fully-fledged scholarship to study at the UTG, calling it a great investment for the country.
“We feel privileged that you have recognised us for this wonderful scholarship and it is with great appreciation that I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the QGroup Foundation and MoBSE for awarding us this scholarship. To my fellow awardees, I also hope that we will repay the trust they have given us”.