Banjul, 3rd March 2025: The International Open University last week convened its 11th Convocation Ceremony.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor Dr. Cherno Omar Barry of the International Open University congratulated the incoming Vice Chancellor of the University Professor MakieTaal, as he bade farewell, following a successful tenure.
Dr. Cherno Omar Barry highlighted the many achievements the University attained during his tenure, among which are his tireless efforts in pushing for the accreditation journey of the University to be recognised for the unique and quality education it offers globally.
“I am happy to mention that the IOU is not only offering programmes in English; recently we have the “Bahasa” in Indonesia which is growing very fast,” said the outgoing Vice Chancellor Dr. Barry.
Dr Barry went on to mention their expansion in other parts of Africa; such as East Africa, as the IOU is spreading its unique education of Islamisation of all learning globally.
“Our expansion in East Africa; such as in Kenya, Tanzania, Ruanda, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, shows significant enrollment increases. Moreover, we awarded over 1000 scholarships to Gambian students, ensuring quality education is within reach for many. The IOU’s unique nature makes it possible for every deserving Gambian, irrespective of your financial means to have access to the International Open University. University education is very expensive, but the IOU is determined to raise funds and give scholarships; that is what makes it unique,” he stated.
Dr. Barry also mentioned the University’s partnership with global academia such as Association of African Universities, International Association of Universities’ Presidents, and e- learning Africa Conference, among others.
The Founder and Chancellor of the International Open University Professor Dr. Bilal Phillips also praised and thanked Allah for the gathering, calling it a “gathering of gratitude”, noting that it is important for Muslims to be thankful when good things happen to them.
He thanked the guests and the Gambia Government, through the representatives – Trade Minister Joof, who represented the Vice President; and Madame Habibatou Drame, Minister of Basic Secondary Education; as well as other dignitaries; and the graduating students of 2024.
Dr. Bilal Phillips spoke on the unique nature of offering Islamic education, which he carefully differentiates from Islamic education, which composed of Fiqr, Aqeeda, Hadith among others. He explained that Islamised education is inculcating Islamic thought and modifying what is relevant and morally important to modify in the Western conventional knowledge and learning.
He proudly called this the bringing back of 12th to 14th Centuries learning glory when Muslims’ thoughts and ideas had dominated the world at that time, in the sciences and other disciplines guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
He said the IOU is following that line of thought - Islamisation of all learning in order to build good virtues and good moral characters in its students as they graduate to serve their communities.
The Trade Minister Babucarr Ousmaila Joof read the good will message of the Vice President thanking the International Open University for the invitation, and its contribution to the deliverance of quality education to Gambians. Similar messages were echoed and read by Professor Muhammed Kah, former UTG Vice Chancellor; Professor Mustapha Fanneh of EUCLID University, among others.
The event was moderated by the Registrar of the International Open University, Mr. Ebou Ibrahim Gaye, and the vote of thanks delivered by IOU Director of Operations, Mr. Kebba Jaiteh.
The event brought together dignitaries from Government and from educational and academic circles.
By Tamsir Gaye
