Banjul, 24th February 2025: The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), alongside key education stakeholders, recently gathered to validate the University of The Gambia (UTG) Graduates Tracer Study Report.
The validation workshop marked an important step towards shaping the future of higher education in The Gambia.
The Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Professor Pierre Gomez stressed the significance of the Tracer Study, calling it a strategic tool for connecting higher education with meaningful employment. He emphasised that understanding graduates’ career progression, job satisfaction, and the application of their skills is critical for both academic planning and institutional development.
The Minister highlighted his ministry’s transformation of the Tertiary and Higher Education sector, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This, he said, is a comprehensive reform, guided by the Ministry’ Strategic Plan 2021-2025, which aims to cultivate a highly skilled workforce capable of driving growth across all sectors of the economy.
He announced that the findings from the Tracer Study will play a vital role in this transformation process and that it will enable the ministry align academic programmes more closely with industry requirements; enhance the practical relevance of the curriculum; strengthen the collaboration between academia and employers; and improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the higher education system.
Minister Gomez encouraged participants to share their perspectives openly and constructively, to contribute in the refinement of the educational programmes and strategies.
The Director of Research and Consultancy at UTG, Dr. Lang Sanyang, affirmed the importance of the study in improving the quality and relevance of academic programmes. He said this is part of their commitment to using evidence-based research to influence policies that improve labour market outcomes for UTG graduates.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary (Technical) at MoHERST, Mucktarr M.Y Darboe, emphasised that the workshop was a collaborative effort between academia, industry, and government to enhance graduates’ preparedness for professional life. He encouraged active participation to ensure the findings accurately reflect the challenges and realities in the labour market.
The event was chaired by Mr. James Gomez, Director of Research at MoHERST, who described the validation as timely and vital for the development of higher education in the country.
This workshop marks another milestone in the effort to improve the employability of graduates, ensuring that they are better equipped to meet the demands of the evolving job market.
By Fatoumatta Joof
UTG Graduate Tracer Programme, Strategic Tool for Connecting Higher Education with Meaningful Employment -Minister Gomez
